Mali – Recovery of debris from a Russian Garpiya-A1 UAV

On 18 May 2026, footage circulated online displaying debris from a OWA Garpiya-A1 UAV (Harpy-A1) near Sevare, Mopti Cercle, Mali. The UAV was reportedly used to strike Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) units. Sources state the UAV was operated by Africa Corps, which falls under the Russian Ministry of Defence. Sevare is a strategic logistics and military hub which hosts one of Mali’s major airbases.

Source: @eod205 (X)

The Garpiya-A1 UAV is Russia’s domestically produced version of the Iranian Shahed 136 (Geran 2), manufactured by state-owned company Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant (IEMZ Kupol). According to reports, approximately 500 Garpiya-A1 UAVs were used monthly in Ukraine during 2025, with 2,500 manufactured between July 2023-2025. This has provided large-scale operational testing before the UAVs apparent deployment with Africa Corps personnel in Mali.

For further information on the Garpiya-A1 UAV, please contact EWS.

OverSite event IDs: 20189.