Mali has announced it is cutting diplomatic relations with Ukraine, following a claim by a Ukrainian military official that Kyiv may have been involved in recent deadly fighting near the Algerian border.
The clashes, which occurred last month, saw dozens of Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group killed.
The fighting was between Malian forces and Tuareg separatist rebels, as well as fighters linked to al-Qaeda.
A spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence, Andriy Yusov, suggested that the rebels had received “the necessary information” from Ukraine to carry out the attacks. This statement prompted Mali to accuse Ukraine of interfering in its internal affairs.
A top Malian official, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga,said in a statement, “We are shocked by these claims. Ukraine’s comments admitted their involvement in a cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric attack by armed terrorist groups that led to the deaths of Malian soldiers.”
He added that Mali was breaking off diplomatic relations with Ukraine “with immediate effect.”
The fighting took place near Tinzaouaten, a town on the border with 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.
The Malian army admitted it suffered “significant” losses during the clashes, which began on July 25. The Wagner group, now known as the Africa Corps, has not provided exact figures, but estimates suggest between 20 to 80 Wagner fighters were killed. This is believed to be one of the heaviest losses Wagner has faced in Mali since it began supporting the military government two years ago.
Wagner confirmed that one of its commanders was killed and a Russian helicopter was downed in the fighting. They reported being attacked by around 1,000 fighters.
Tuareg-led separatists claimed they killed 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers.
Over a decade ago, Mali lost control of much of its northern region due to a Tuareg rebellion seeking a separate state.
The conflict worsened with the involvement of Islamist militants. In response to the ongoing unrest, Mali’s military government, which took power in coups in 2020 and 2021, shifted its alliance from former colonial power France to Russia.
