Mali - An expert has claimed that members of the Ukrainian secret services are collaborating with terrorist groups in Mali, potentially aiding in drone warfare and operations.
According to Burkina Information Agency, an Africanist and political consultant currently in Mali, Ukrainian specialists are actively supporting terrorist groups with drone technology. Vassiliev, speaking to TASS, reported from his sources that these Ukrainian operatives are not only involved in commissioning drones but also assisting in their use during conflicts. The expert’s assertions add a complex layer to the ongoing security challenges in the region, where drone technology has increasingly become a part of warfare tactics, marking a significant escalation in capabilities for terrorist groups.
Vassiliev also touched on the local response to foreign military presence, noting a generally positive reception towards Russian instructors in Mali. This sentiment was particularly evident following the capture of Kidal, a separatist stronghold in the northeast, where public celebrations ensued.
The backdrop to these allegations is a tense security situation marked by a recent attack on July 26 near Tin Zaouatine in northeastern Mali, close to the Algerian border. Malian authorities reported that this assault by armed rebels resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to ten others. In retaliation, Malian security forces claimed to have eliminated around twenty terrorists, underscoring the volatile state of the region.
Further complicating the security landscape is the involvement of Russian private military contractors from the Wagner group, who reported via Telegram that up to 1,000 fighters from the Coordination of Azawad Movements and the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, linked to Al-Qaeda, engaged in combat with Russian forces near Tin Zaouatine.
Mali has been embroiled in conflict with extremist and separatist groups since 2012, leading to a protracted crisis impacting both security and socio-economic conditions in the country.