Ukraine has dismissed claims that it provided drones to rebels fighting the Malian army and Russia-backed mercenaries. The denial follows a report by Le Monde, which alleged that Ukrainian drones were aiding Tuareg rebels with covert support from Kyiv.
Mali’s military-led government, which shifted alliances from France to Russia in 2022, has struggled to contain insurgency in the north, suffering recent heavy losses alongside Russian allies. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have accused Ukraine of supporting terrorism in the Sahel after a Ukrainian official mentioned offering support to the rebels earlier this year.
On Monday, Ukraine’s foreign ministry refuted these accusations, labeling them as false and echoing Russian propaganda. It denied any involvement in arming or assisting the rebels and called for an end to misinformation.
In July, clashes in northern Mali led to the deaths of over 80 Russia-backed fighters and 47 Malian soldiers, marking a significant loss for the Wagner mercenary group, now known as Corps Africa. Following the incident, a Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson, Andriy Yusov, suggested the rebels had received critical information for the attack.
Since Yusov’s remarks, rebel commanders have acknowledged connections with Kyiv, although they did not specify the source of their drones. In August, Mali severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, accusing it of violating sovereignty.
Russia, isolated by the West over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, has sought to strengthen its influence in Africa through political and security partnerships, including with Mali.
