Mali, Russian TV Rtvi starts local broadcasts

(Adnkronos) – The Russian broadcaster Rtvi is launching broadcasts in Mali, thanks to the support of the main provider of the Sahel country, Malivision. “The channel’s entry into Mali strengthens its position in Africa and creates new prospects for expansion,” said Andrei Popov, director of global distribution for the broadcaster, anticipating plans “to deepen cooperation with local operators in the region.” Rtvi is headed by Sergei Chemezov, director of Rostec, a Russian public conglomerate of defense companies in the KGB with Vladimir Putin already in Dresden. The broadcaster was relaunched in 2017 thanks to funding from Israeli entrepreneur Aaron Frenkel, Rostec’s partner in some joint ventures, and is now controlled by Mikaek Israelyan, an American entrepreneur of Armenian origin, although, according to a Proekt investigation, the relaunch project belongs to Chemezov. In recent years, Russia has extended its presence, particularly at the military level, in the Sahel countries.