The human rights group reported that a fighter jet, identified by Malian military sources as a Sukhoi Su-24, dropped at least two bombs on Kyrnia. The first struck near the village chief’s residence, killing his wife, two of his children, and another child. The second bomb hit a livestock market, where four men were killed. After analyzing the attack’s circumstances, the organization concluded that the strikes lacked precision targeting and amounted to indiscriminate violence.

Africa Corps claims it targeted militants

Africa Corps, which operates under Russia’s Ministry of Defense and supports Malian troops, released aerial footage on social media showing a strike it claimed targeted a gathering of “terrorist groups” in Mopti on June 15. The human rights group confirmed the footage was filmed over Kyrnia but noted that no members of the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM)—an Al-Qaeda affiliate reportedly controlling the area for years—were killed in the attack.

Residents interviewed by the organization revealed that three of the village chief’s sons are JNIM members but were absent during the bombing. They also stated that armed fighters were present in the village, mostly gathered in a mosque that remained unscathed. The human rights group has called on Malian authorities to launch an investigation and hold those responsible accountable. It emphasized that joint operations by Malian forces and their Russian allies have frequently been linked to human rights violations.

According to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), 918 civilians were killed in 2025 during operations attributed to Malian troops and their Russian partners. Meanwhile, the United Nations and Amnesty International have previously urged investigations into potential war crimes committed by both JNIM and the Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA).