A group of Russian mercenaries working for the Wagner group in northern Africa were reportedly ambushed and massacred in Mali over the weekend. Footage showed numerous Russian soldiers lying dead or injured after a violent assault, with some reports suggesting that the death toll could be as high as 80. The attack was believed to have been carried out by Tuareg separatists on Wagner and Malian forces near the Algerian border. The rebel groups claimed to have seized a large amount of equipment and weapons, along with an unspecified number of prisoners.
The ambush occurred following days of fighting in the Tinzaouatene area in northeast Mali. Russian Wagner forces have been supporting the Malian army since 2022, after Malian military leaders took control of the country and expelled French forces. The conflict in Mali’s northern region has intensified in recent months, with Mali’s military rulers annulling a 2015 peace agreement with a separatist group in January. The Malian government has denied that the Russian forces in the country are mercenaries from Wagner, claiming instead that they are trainers assisting in the fight against Islamic extremists.
In a rare statement, Wagner confirmed on Telegram that its forces in Mali, led by commander Sergei Shevchenko, were engaged in a battle alongside Malian forces from July 22-27. Shevchenko, known by the call sign “Pond,” was reportedly killed during the fighting. The statement indicated that the Pond group initially succeeded in defeating most of the Islamists but were later overwhelmed by a group of around 1,000 militants due to a sandstorm hindering their progress. The Russian media reported that at least 20 Wagner soldiers were killed in the assault, while the Malian army confirmed the death of two of its soldiers.
The rebel movement in Northern Mali, known as the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security, and Development, claimed responsibility for the attack on Wagner and Malian forces and stated that they had killed seven of their fighters while injuring 12 others. They also reported seizing a significant amount of enemy equipment and weapons. The United Nations recently concluded its peacekeeping mission in Mali after a decade of involvement in the region. The incident in Mali highlights the complex and volatile situation in the country, with various factions vying for power and control.
The events leading up to the ambush in Mali remain unclear, with conflicting reports about the number of casualties and the circumstances of the attack. The Wagner group, which was previously led by Yevgeny Prigozhin until his death in a plane crash in August 2023, has been involved in various conflicts around the world, often in support of authoritarian regimes. The situation in Mali underscores the challenges faced by international peacekeepers and the ongoing instability in the region. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by mercenaries and military personnel working in conflict zones, where violence and death are constant threats.
