Mali has severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine following allegations that Kyiv played a role in deadly clashes near the Algerian border last month. The fighting resulted in the deaths of numerous Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner Group mercenaries.
Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov claimed last week that Tuareg separatist rebels had received “necessary information” to execute the attacks. This assertion led Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, a senior Malian official, to accuse Ukraine of violating Mali’s sovereignty. Maiga condemned Ukraine’s alleged involvement in what he described as a “cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric attack” by armed terrorist groups.
Mali’s army recently admitted to “significant” losses during the clashes, which began on July 25 near Tinzaouaten, a northeastern town bordering Algeria. Reports indicate that Malian and Russian forces were ambushed by Tuareg rebels and fighters from the al-Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin while waiting for reinforcements.
While neither Mali’s military nor Wagner, now operating as the Africa Corps, have disclosed exact figures, estimates suggest Wagner’s death toll ranges from 20 to 80. This marks the group’s heaviest losses in Mali since it started assisting the military government two years ago. Wagner confirmed the death of a commander and the downing of a Russian helicopter, stating they were attacked by around 1,000 fighters.
Tuareg-led separatists claimed they had killed 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers. Mali’s central government lost control of much of the north over a decade ago following a Tuareg rebellion. The situation worsened with the involvement of Islamist militants. The Malian military cited the government’s failure to manage this unrest as a reason for seizing power in coups in 2020 and 2021, subsequently severing ties with former colonial power France in favor of Russia to address the ongoing conflict.
