Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane possibly tied to Wagner Group crashes in Mali: What we know

A Russian Il-76 cargo plane crashed in proximity to Gao airport in northern Mali. The exact details of the crash are yet to be disclosed, and speculations are rife, linking the aircraft to the notorious private military company, PMC Wagner.

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Local sources have reported the aircraft encountered a problem during takeoff at Gao airport. However, specific details regarding the cause of the crash or any potential casualties remain unrevealed.

PMC Wagner: Controversial & Clandestine Military Operator

PMC Wagner is a shadowy private military company, reputedly connected to the Russian government. The company is infamous for its operations in multiple global conflict zones, where it conducts secretive military operations. The clandestine nature of Wagner’s activities has led to international debates, with many questioning the organization’s true motives and the scope of its involvements.

Under the stewardship of Yevgeny Prigozhin, PMC Wagner has evolved into a significant entity in Russia’s foreign strategy, often finding itself amidst international controversies.

PMC Wagner’s Recent Controversies

Recently, Wagner has made headlines due to its confrontational stance against the Russian government, with its forces reportedly marching towards Moscow, blatantly opposing Vladimir Putin’s regime.

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The situation escalated when an Embraer Legacy 600 bearing the registration RA-02795, owned by a private operator, crashed near Kuzhenkino, in the Tver region, north of Moscow. The aircraft was en route to St. Petersburg, transporting Prigozhin along with high-ranking members of the armed group.

Embraer Legacy 600 of Wagner Group Leader Crashes in Russia: What We Know

The aircraft

The Russian Il-76 cargo plane involved in the crash is believed to bear the registration TL-KPA, but this is uncertain since the plane has a significant history of re-registrations and is suspected to be used for paramilitary purposes by Russia. Tracing its hex code reveals its previous identifications as TL-KMZ and before that as TL-ART, originally being part of TransAviaExport’s fleet with the registration EW-510TH.

This aircraft has been spotted in various locations across Africa since March 2021, particularly in regions where Russian paramilitary forces, such as the Wagner Group, are active. It has notably been sighted making several flights between Libya and Syria, raising speculations about its operations and affiliations.