Mali has announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Ukraine following accusations that Ukraine provided intelligence to Malian rebels involved in an ambush against Wagner Group forces in July. The transitional government of Mali expressed strong condemnation towards Ukraine for allegedly supporting the rebels, stating that Mali has always advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Andriy Yusov, a representative of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), reportedly disclosed that Kyiv had supplied the militants with crucial information for the attack. The assault, claimed by a Tuareg rebels group in collaboration with the al Qaeda affiliate JNIM, resulted in significant casualties, including the reported deaths of 50 Russians and several Malian soldiers.
JNIM described the attack as a 'complex ambush' that targeted a Russian convoy, leading to the destruction of multiple vehicles and casualties on both sides. Videos released by the group showed the aftermath of the assault, with vehicles in flames and numerous bodies in the vicinity. Additionally, a Tuareg militant group spokesperson mentioned that some Malian troops and Russian fighters were captured during the confrontation.
Unofficial reports from Russian Telegram channels suggested that the death toll among Russian paramilitaries could be as high as 80, marking a significant setback for Russian forces operating in Africa. The incident underscores the Kremlin's strategy of utilizing proxy forces to counter Western influence in the Sahel and central Africa while supporting fragile regimes in the region.
