Russian mercenaries suffer major defeat in Mali, allegations denied

As many as 84 Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group were reportedly killed during fighting near the African town of Tinzaouaten. Following Russia's biggest defeat in Africa, Ukraine was accused of involvement in the massacre. However, these reports were denied by the spokesperson for the Tuareg rebels.

The spokesperson for the Tuareg rebels from the Alliance for Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security, and Development (CSP-PSD), Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadan, strongly denied receiving any support from Ukraine during the conflict, in which their forces defeated the Malian army and Russian mercenaries from the former Wagner Group.

We can clearly say that we received no outside help for the fighting at Tinzaouaten. No, we have not received any assistance from Ukraine — said Ramadan in an interview with Reuters.

Tuaregs operating on the Mali-Algeria border recently announced that in skirmishes near Tinzaouaten, they killed 84 Russian mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers, making this the largest defeat of Russians on the African continent.

Statements from a representative of Ukrainian military intelligence in early August, indicating possible Ukrainian support for the Tuaregs, caused the Malian authorities, led by a military junta, and the sympathetic Nigerien authorities to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine despite denials from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding involvement in the conflict.

Both Mali and Niger also approached the UN Security Council, requesting an international investigation into the alleged support provided to the Tuaregs by Ukraine.

Tuaregs have been fighting for the autonomy of the desert areas in northern Mali for more than a decade. The region, which they call Azawad, has been led for years by the leader of the CSP-DBA Alliance, Bilala Ag Acherifa. However, he denies cooperation not only with Ukraine but also with the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, condemning terrorism at the same time.