Mali recently severed relations with Ukraine as Ukrainian-backed Tuareg rebels killed at least 84 Russian soldiers in a well-executed ambush.
It’s unclear whether Ukrainian Special Operations Forces were directly involved in the assault, although past instances of Ukrainian forces operating in Africa make it likely.
Ukraine’s rationale for backing the Tuareg rebels is simple. Russian mercenaries, formally known as the Wagner Group, are supporting the military junta in Mali, along with several other African governments and rebel groups.
