According to reports, Ukraine’s intelligence agency, GUR, claims to have dealt a blow to Russian interests in Africa by assisting Tuareg rebels in Mali. According to GUR spokesman Andri Yusov, Ukrainian intelligence provided the rebels with crucial information to successfully ambush a convoy of Russian ‘Africa Corps’ fighters, including members of the Wagner Group.
Ambush Details
During a sandstorm on Saturday, the Tuareg rebels attacked a column of Wagner fighters and Malian soldiers near the Mali-Algeria border. Utilizing heavy weaponry and drones, the rebels managed to capture vehicles, ammunition, and damage a Russian combat helicopter. Although Yusov did not disclose specific details of Ukraine’s assistance, he hinted at further actions to come.
Tuareg Azawad are showing support to Ukraine, naturally, the Malian government which is backed by Wagner mercenaries issued a statement declaring that:
“Mali breaks off diplomatic relations with neo-Nazi Ukraine due to Kyiv’s support for international terrorism."
Cold War II pic.twitter.com/Ixbdt5m5mz
— Zineb Riboua (@zriboua) August 4, 2024
Casualties and Aftermath
The exact number of casualties remains unclear. The rebels reported killing 54 Wagner fighters and seven Malian soldiers while losing seven of their own. Video evidence shows over 30 bodies, though it’s not confirmed if all were Wagner members. The Malian army claimed limited losses but reported killing 20 Tuareg rebels. Wagner-affiliated Telegram channels admitted to significant losses, with one source informing BBC Russian of over eighty Wagner soldiers killed in the ambush.
Among the deceased were key Wagner figures Sergei Shevchenko and Nikita Fedjanin, the latter believed to manage the ‘Grey Zone’ Telegram channel with over half a million followers. Russian military bloggers noted that commander Anton Yelizarov was captured and later released after a prisoner exchange. Yelizarov, who took a leadership role following the deaths of Wagner founders Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitri Uetkin, had previously fought in Ukraine, including in the battle of Bakhmut.
Conflict in Northern Mali
For months, the Africa Corps and Malian army have been battling an armed separatist movement in northern Mali. The rebels seek to create an independent Azawad region, encompassing northern Mali with cities like Timbuktu and Gao. The military junta ruling Mali since 2021 has fought these rebels, retaking the Tuareg stronghold of Kidal in late 2023 with Wagner Group’s support.
After the decisive defeat of the Wagner group against the Tuareg in Mali, the Malian authorities decided to break off diplomatic relations with Ukraine because of an alleged violation of Malian sovereignty, said Malian government spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga.
They also strongly… pic.twitter.com/PMmexrV6t6
— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) August 5, 2024
Wagner’s Role in Mali
Invited by the Malian junta, Wagner replaced French soldiers and UN peacekeepers in the fight against northern jihadist groups. The junta chose a closer relationship with Russia and President Vladimir Putin over Western allies. Wagner soldiers in Mali have been accused of violence against civilians and mass sexual abuse.
Wagner’s Influence in Africa
Wagner functions as Putin’s strategic arm in Africa, operating in Mali, Libya, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Niger, and the Central African Republic. Following Prigozhin’s death in August 2023, Wagner officially integrated into the Russian Africa Corps, enhancing its ties to Moscow. In return for military assistance to authoritarian regimes, Wagner secures valuable assets like gold and diamond mines, worth billions of dollars.
🇳🇪🇺🇦| After Mali, Niger has just officially announced the severance of its diplomatic relations with Ukraine, justifying this by its interference in the Tinzaouatene attack which cost the lives of several Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers. https://t.co/ZSDL7iE8kS pic.twitter.com/NofQvJzM0X
— Casus Belli (@casusbellii) August 6, 2024