Human Rights Watch said a Russian government-controlled Africa Corps Su-24 killed eight civilians, including three children, in Kyrnia village in central Mali on June 15.
Two munitions hit near the village chief’s home and a cattle market, and HRW said no JNIM fighters were among the dead despite Africa Corps describing the strike online as a “terrorist” gathering.
HRW said it interviewed 19 people, analyzed satellite imagery and reviewed video of the operation, concluding the attack did not appear to target a clear military objective even though about 100 JNIM fighters were in the village elsewhere.
The group urged Mali’s government to investigate and punish those responsible, warning failure to act could make it complicit in war crimes; Russia’s Defense Ministry did not immediately comment.
The allegation lands as Mali faces worsening violence and scrutiny of its Russia-backed security strategy after major coordinated attacks this year exposed weaknesses in the junta’s campaign against militants and separatists.