Ukraine strongly denied allegations of supplying Western-provided weapons to African regions, specifically rejecting claims of drone support for Malian rebels. The denial comes in response to a report by French newspaper Le Monde, which suggested Ukrainian involvement in training Malian insurgents.
On 14 October, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement categorically refuting accusations of Ukraine’s involvement in supplying drones to rebels in Mali. The ministry also rejected claims made by high-ranking officials from Mali and Niger regarding Ukraine’s alleged “cooperation with terrorists” and “supplying weapons to terrorists.”
Le Monde had reported that representatives of Malian rebels had traveled to Ukraine to learn how to manufacture and operate small explosive-laden drones. The newspaper cited a source allegedly close to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) confirming the training of Malians by Ukraine.
According to Le Monde, a source claimed the CSP Group visited Ukraine for training, and an even larger group of Ukrainian instructors allegedly went to the Sahel and is still there.
The Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP) group is at war with the Malian junta and its Russian auxiliaries from the Wagner group.
The French newspaper also reported on several drone attacks against Wagner Group mercenaries in Mali.
An attack on 4 October reportedly included small drones dropping “explosive charges on the army camp at Goundam in the Timbuktu region, which is home to Wagner troops. According to a CSP official, the result was that ‘at least nine mercenaries’ from the Russian group were killed,” Le Monde wrote.
The ministry called on the governments of Mali and Niger to stop spreading false information that repeats “false narratives of the propaganda of the aggressor state of Russia.”
The statement reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to further developing mutually beneficial relations with all African states based on equality, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries within internationally recognized borders, and strict adherence to international law and the UN Charter.
Related:
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- Niger follows Mali in breaking relations with Ukraine amid allegations of Tuareg rebels support
- UK intel: Russia likely expanding recruitment across Global South to sustain war in Ukraine
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- Dozens of Wagner mercenaries, their local allies killed by Tuareg fighters in Mali