officials from Mali announced the severing of diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
Condemned the Attack
According to Ziare this decision came after Kyiv's intelligence services acknowledged their involvement in an ambush that resulted in the deaths of dozens of Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers. The deadly incident took place near Mali's northern border with Algeria and has significantly strained relations between the two nations.
Tuareg separatist rebels and fighters affiliated with al-Qaida reportedly received intelligence from Ukrainian military services, leading to the ambush. Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, a senior official in Mali, expressed his shock at Ukraine’s revelation, accusing Kyiv of violating Mali’s sovereignty.
Maiga condemned the attack as "treacherous, perfidious, and barbaric," as reported by the BBC.
The Exact Number is Unknown
The Malian army acknowledged significant losses in the attacks that began on July 25. The exact number of Wagner mercenaries killed remains unclear, with estimates ranging from 20 to 80. These fighters, along with Malian soldiers, were targeted by Tuareg rebels and members of Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an al-Qaida affiliate.
The Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization, has been involved in Mali's internal conflicts for the past two years. The July ambush represents their most significant losses in the West African country to date.
Mali has been under military rule since a coup in 2021. The new regime has distanced itself from France, Mali's former colonial power, and strengthened ties with Russia. This shift in alliances has led to increased Russian influence in the region, as evidenced by the presence of Wagner Group mercenaries.
