At least four Russian fighters from the Africa Corps have been killed in an ambush by Al-Qaeda-linked militants in central Mali, according to local sources cited by Radio France Internationale (RFI).
The attack took place on Monday, September 28, near Niono in the Ségou region, where militants from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) targeted a military convoy carrying Russian personnel.
The ambush occurred shortly before midday between the villages of Tiémaba and Woyo, north of Niono, an area where JNIM’s Macina Brigade has maintained a presence for years.
According to RFI, the attackers initially targeted military vehicles with drones before advancing on the convoy. The militants subsequently photographed the damaged vehicles and equipment for propaganda purposes before withdrawing.
JNIM claimed responsibility for the operation, saying seven Russian Africa Corps fighters had been killed or wounded. The group also claimed to have seized weapons and military equipment.
Local residents, community leaders and security analysts contacted by RFI confirmed that at least four Russian fighters had been killed, with several others wounded and taken to Niono for treatment.
Reports differed over whether Malian soldiers were accompanying the Russian personnel. Some sources reported casualties among Malian troops, while others said the convoy consisted entirely of Russian fighters.
The Malian military has not publicly confirmed the casualties or provided a detailed account of the ambush.
Russia’s Africa Corps, established under the Russian Defence Ministry, has largely taken over operations previously conducted by the Wagner Group in Mali. It supports the country’s military authorities in their campaign against armed groups operating across the Sahel.
