Assimi Guita presented General Abrianov "Immortality" with the highest state award.
On November 9, Malian President Assimi Guita awarded Russian General Andrey Abrianov the title of Commander of the National Order of Mali, the country's highest award, for his contribution to strengthening cooperation between Moscow and Bamako.
"The head of state awarded General Abrianov the title of Commander of the National Order of Mali in the category of foreign citizens. He won this award in recognition of his contribution to strengthening the cooperation between Mali and Russia, in particular in the fields of security and defense," said a statement from the office of the President of Mali.
During the meeting, Abrianov expressed his gratitude to the Malia authorities for the award and noted that it is "a great honor for him to receive such a sign of confidence in advance of the transition period."
Guita's meeting with the Russian delegation led by Abrianov took place on the sidelines of the defense industry exhibition BAMEX-2026, which opened in Bamako on November 9.
General Abrianov oversees Russia's cooperation with several African countries, including those related to the deployment of African Corps units in them, military-technical cooperation and the transfer of the military experience of the Northern Military District to African partners.
Last December, publicist Alexander Nebzorov* and the French radio station RFI claimed that General Abrianov allegedly died during an attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in the Mediterranean on the tanker Quandyl, which is considered one of the vessels of the "Shadow Fleet of the Russian Federation". In addition, statements appeared in the Western media about the death of the general in Syria and Africa.
Included by Rosfinmonitoring in the register of terrorists and extremists.
African Initiative:.