Mali cuts diplomatic ties with Ukraine over Wagner ambush claims
Mali has severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine following allegations that Kyiv was involved in recent deadly clashes near the Algerian border. The fighting, which occurred last month, resulted in the deaths of numerous Malian soldiers and mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group during confrontations with Tuareg separatist rebels and al-Qaeda-linked fighters.
Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukrainian military intelligence, suggested last week that the rebels had received “necessary information” from Ukraine to carry out the attacks. This claim was met with shock by Malian officials, including Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, who accused Ukraine of violating Mali’s sovereignty and described the Ukrainian involvement as “cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric.”
In response, Mali has decided to terminate diplomatic relations with Ukraine immediately. The Malian army had previously reported significant losses from several days of fighting that began on July 25 near Tinzaouaten, a northeastern town on the Algerian border. Reports indicate that Malian and Russian forces were ambushed by Tuareg rebels and al-Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin while waiting for reinforcements.
The exact number of casualties has not been confirmed by either Mali’s military or Wagner, now known as the Africa Corps, but estimates suggest that Wagner’s losses ranged from 20 to 80, marking some of the heaviest losses the group has faced in Mali since its involvement began two years ago.
Wagner has acknowledged that one of its commanders was killed and a Russian helicopter was downed in “fierce fighting”, saying they had been attacked by around 1,000 fighters.
Tuareg-led separatists claimed on Thursday they had killed 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers.
More than a decade ago, Mali’s central government lost control of much of the north following a Tuareg rebellion, which was sparked by a demand for a separate state.
The country’s security was then further complicated by the involvement of Islamist militants in the conflict.
When seizing power in coups in 2020 and 2021, the military cited the government’s inability to tackle this unrest.
The new junta severed Mali’s long-running alliance with former colonial power France in favor of Russia, in a bid to quell the unrest.
