Ukraine denies supplying weapons to rebels in Mali

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly denied allegations that Kyiv is supplying drones to rebels in Mali, a claim reported by Paris-based Le Monde on Oct. 13. 

The ministry also “categorically denied” all accusations that have arisen from high-ranking officials in the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger. 

These allegations include claims of Ukraine’s supposed involvement in “cooperation with terrorists”, “arms supplies and providing them with information”, and “support to the terrorist coalition”.

“We also reject all accusations against Ukraine regarding the alleged involvement of our state in the entry into the Sahel region of weapons and military equipment supplied to Ukraine by its allies to counter the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation,” the ministry stated.

The Le Monde journalists reported that since the summer, Tuareg fighters have allegedly been using Ukrainian drones in their fight against the Malian junta and Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenaries. 

The claims include that Kyiv is providing “measured but resolute support.”

Ukraine’s Western partners have found no instances of the improper use of weapons and equipment provided to Kyiv in more than two-and-a-half years of war, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

“We call to put an end to the spreading of the false information that repeats the fake narratives of the aggressor state Russia’s propaganda, aimed at discrediting our state and justifying Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war against Ukraine,” the ministry said.

Ukraine’s diplomatic goals are to develop mutually beneficial relations with African countries based on equality, respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and adherence to international law and UN principles, the ministry added.