The Russian government-controlled Africa Corps launched the airstrike that killed eight civilians, including three children, on June 15. The rights group based its findings on interviews with eye-witnesses, Malian military sources, local journalists, and community leaders, as well as satellite imagery, photographs, and a video released by Africa Corps. The organization said its analysis of the footage confirmed the strike took place in Kyrnia and identified Africa Corps as responsible for the attack. The strike comes as Russia expands its military role in Mali through the Africa Corps, the Russian Ministry of Defense-controlled successor to the private Wagner Group. On June 24, nine days after the Kyrnia strike and one day after Africa Corps publicly claimed responsibility for the operation, Mali formally notified the International Criminal Court (ICC) of its withdrawal.