Ukraine has firmly denied recent media reports suggesting its involvement in providing drones to rebels fighting in northern Mali.
The French newspaper Le Monde had alleged that Tuareg fighters in Mali were using Ukrainian drones, supported by Kyiv, in their conflict against Mali’s army and Russia’s Wagner Group.
In response, Ukraine’s foreign ministry released a statement rejecting the accusations, asserting that Ukraine had no role in supplying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the Malian rebels.
The conflict in Mali, which has been marked by military coups in 2020 and 2021, continues as the government struggles against Islamist insurgents and Tuareg forces near the Algerian border. Diplomatic tensions between Ukraine and Mali escalated in August when Mali severed ties following Kyiv’s remarks on rebel activity.
Meanwhile, Russia, which has been increasing its influence in Africa, accused Ukraine of creating a “second front” by aiding forces opposing Moscow’s allies in Africa.
This comes amidst Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, which has caused significant loss of life since it began in February 2022.
