Ukraine Condemns Mali’s Diplomatic Break Over Rebel Attack Allegations

Kyiv contended that Mali had provided no evidence to substantiate allegations implicating Ukraine in last month's violent clashes that resulted in the deaths of Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries.

Mali's announcement came on Sunday, declaring an immediate end to diplomatic relations with Ukraine following statements from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency regarding the late July skirmishes in northern Mali.

The conflict, attributed to Tuareg rebels, saw the group claim responsibility for killing at least 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers. This encounter is viewed as Wagner's most significant defeat since they began assisting Mali's military against insurgent factions two years ago.

"It is regrettable that Mali decided to sever relations without thoroughly examining the facts and circumstances of the incident and without providing any evidence of Ukraine's involvement," the Ukrainian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Post-clash remarks by Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's military spy agency, on national television suggested that Malian rebels had received the "necessary" intelligence to execute the attack. Despite this, Ukraine's official stance did not confirm its involvement, reiterating its primary focus on defending against Russian forces since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion over 29 months ago.

Mali, interpreting Yusov’s comments as an implicit admission, expressed "deep shock" and condemned the remarks as violations of its sovereignty, equating them to support for international terrorism.

The diplomatic fallout extended over the weekend, with Senegalese authorities summoning Ukraine’s ambassador, Yurii Pyvovarov, over a now-deleted video posted on the Ukrainian embassy’s Facebook account, which they claimed supported the attack.

These accusations emerge amidst deteriorating relations between Western nations and the politically unstable Sahel region. Following recent military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the newly established juntas have expelled French and U.S. forces, opting instead for security assistance from Russian mercenary groups.

The diplomatic rift underscores a broader geopolitical realignment in the Sahel, raising concerns about the increasing influence of Russian paramilitary forces in the region and the potential implications for regional stability and international security partnerships.