Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, GUR, has claimed involvement in an ambush that killed members of Russia’s Wagner group in Mali, marking a significant expansion of Kyiv’s conflict with Moscow. The ambush, which occurred last week, saw Wagner and Malian forces clash with Tuareg separatists and jihadi groups. Andrii Yusov, a GUR spokesman, stated that Ukrainian forces provided crucial information for the successful operation but did not confirm their presence in Mali.
Wagner, known for its brutal involvement in Ukraine and other conflicts, suffered significant losses, including the death of commander Sergei Shevchenko. The group has been active in Africa, providing support to governments like Mali’s military junta, which has been battling insurgencies since 2020.
This incident underscores the broader implications of the Russia-Ukraine war, with Ukrainian forces reportedly active in other regions like Sudan. The ambush also highlights Kyiv’s effort to undermine Russia’s influence in Africa, where Wagner’s operations have been linked to resource extraction and financing Russian military efforts.
Serhii Kuzan, director of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center, emphasized that targeting Wagner in Africa serves multiple purposes: depleting their experienced fighters, seeking justice for war crimes, and demonstrating that Russian war criminals are not safe. The operation represents a growing global dimension to Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression.
