Russian Africa Corps Abandoned Malian Forces During Ambush to Die, Intelligence Shows

Russian troops serving in the Kremlin-controlled Africa Corps withdrew from a joint convoy under attack in northern Mali earlier this month, leaving Malian government forces without ground or air support, according to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) on July 26.

HUR said the incident occurred near Tabrishat in the Gao region, where local rebel groups ambushed a joint Russian-Malian convoy, resulting in heavy losses for Malian forces.

According to HUR, the convoy came under attack in early July while operating near the settlement of Tabrishat in northeastern Mali. As the convoy sustained losses in personnel and armored vehicles, Russian personnel from the Africa Corps reportedly retreated instead of supporting their Malian counterparts.

Ukraine’s military intelligence stated that the Russian contingent did not deploy available air assets despite operating Orion unmanned aerial vehicles as well as Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters in the area.

HUR reported that at least 60 Malian soldiers were killed during the fighting, while another 30 were captured by the attacking rebel groups. Dozens more were reportedly wounded. In its assessment, HUR said the incident demonstrated that Russia treats Malian government forces as expendable in pursuit of its own objectives in the country.

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“The episode once again demonstrated that Russia uses the Malian junta’s military as ‘cannon fodder’ to achieve its own goals in Mali,” HUR said.

The agency also alleged that Russian personnel had established corruption networks within the Malian military leadership, including the sale of small arms previously supplied under Russia’s military assistance programs.

According to HUR, Moscow’s long-term objectives in Mali include securing access to the country’s gold and uranium deposits while expanding its political and military influence across Africa.

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The Africa Corps is a Russian military formation created under the control of Russia’s Ministry of Defense following the restructuring of Moscow’s military presence in Africa after the Wagner Group mutiny in 2023.

The force has since taken over Russian operations in several African countries, including Mali, where it supports the ruling military junta in counterinsurgency operations.

Earlier, on July 6, Tuareg-led rebels claimed they had shot down a Russian-operated Mi-24 attack helicopter during a coordinated offensive against Mali’s military and Russia’s Africa Corps near Gao. Neither Russia nor Mali confirmed the reported loss, although footage circulating online appeared to show the helicopter’s wreckage.

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