In Mali, the rebel group “Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security, and Development” (CSP-DPA) has killed dozens of government soldiers and mercenaries from the Russian Wagner private military company. This occurred near the border with Algeria, according to international media citing the rebels.
Fighting began on Thursday, July 25, in the north of the country. The Tuareg rebels opposing the government junta reported capturing vehicles and armored equipment belonging to government forces and their Russian allies. Some Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries who survived fled, while others surrendered, the rebels said. Mali’s Defense Ministry confirmed the incident, reporting two soldiers killed and ten wounded.
Ukrainian media reported that the rebels in Mali are offering to transfer captured Russians to Ukraine. This was mentioned in a post, presumably by one of the rebels, on the social network X. The post also included a photo allegedly showing a captured Russian and a video of killed Wagner fighters.
“Dear Ukrainian brothers. We, the armed forces of CSP-DPA, want to express our solidarity with your fight against Russian criminals. We have captured a significant number of Wagner mercenaries and want to transfer these prisoners to you as a sign of support and solidarity. This gesture aims to help you in your fight for justice and freedom. We hope this will strengthen our ties and our common victory. With all our support, Armed Forces of CSP-DPA,” the message read.
A former employee of the UN mission in the town of Kidal in northern Mali reported that at least 15 Russian mercenaries (including Anton Yelizarov, one of the Wagner leaders and commander of the occupying forces in the battle for the Ukrainian town of Soledar in 2022-2023) were killed or captured after three days of fighting, AFP reports. Meanwhile, Russian pro-war Telegram channels report varying numbers of mercenary losses, ranging from 20 to 50.
Ukrainian intelligence commented on the clashes and announced continued actions against Russian military personnel in Africa. Representative of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Andrii Yusov, said he could not disclose details at this time. However, he mentioned that the rebels “received the necessary information and more,” allowing them to conduct a “successful military operation against Russian war criminals.”
For the past 12 years, Mali has been unstable due to radical separatist groups. After a military coup in 2022, a junta led by Colonel Assimi Goïta came to power, maintaining close ties with Russia. Their power is partly ensured by armed forces associated with the Russian Wagner PMC.
In recent years, Russia has intensified its aggressive activities in Africa, seeking to establish control over the continent and its valuable natural resources. This tactic also aims to displace key Western players in the region, such as France and the US, as part of Russia’s global struggle against democracies. Using Wagner militants, Moscow has facilitated or directly instigated military coups in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Additionally, the current regime in the Central African Republic is supported by Wagner militants in exchange for total Russian control over the country’s natural wealth.
Cover: open sources
