Ukraine's Foreign Ministry Denies Allegations of Drone Supply to Rebels in Mali

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has rejected media accusations suggesting that Ukraine is involved in supplying combat drones to rebels in Mali.

"We also dismiss all allegations against Ukraine regarding its supposed involvement in the transfer of weapons and military equipment to the Sahel region, which are supplied to Ukraine by its allies to counter the ongoing armed aggression from the Russian Federation," the MFA stated on October 14.

The ministry states that, from the early months of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine was the first to initiate a monitoring and control system for the weapons supplied to it by Western countries. "Over more than two and a half years of the Russian invasion, our Western partners have found no instances of misuse of the weapons and military equipment provided to our state," the statement emphasized.

"We also categorically deny all accusations that periodically arise from high-ranking officials in Mali and Niger regarding Ukraine's alleged 'collaboration with terrorists,' 'supplying weapons to terrorists and providing them with information,' and 'supporting a terrorist coalition,'" the MFA noted.

“In light of the unfounded accusations from the governments of Mali and Niger against Ukraine, we urge an end to the spread of false information that echoes the deceptive narratives of the aggressor state, Russia. These narratives aim to discredit our country and justify Russia's unprovoked, unjustified, and illegal war against Ukraine.”

“We reiterate that Ukraine is committed to further developing mutually beneficial relations with all African states based on the principles of equality, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders, and strict adherence to international law, the Goals and Principles of the UN Charter,” MFA concluded.

The French publication Le Monde reported on October 13 about the alleged supply of Ukrainian drones to Malian rebels.

Tuareg rebels are engaged in combat in northern Mali against the ruling junta and allied fighters from the Russian private military company (PMC) Wagner, which has been operating in the country since 2021.

On August 5, the Malian government cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine, accusing it of supporting "terrorist groups." Two days later, the junta in neighboring Niger followed suit.