More than ten fighters from Mali’s ruling military junta and Russia’s Africa Corps were killed in an ambush in central Mali, according to local reporting.
Russia has become a key security partner of Mali’s military-led government in recent years. Russian personnel support Malian forces with training, security operations, and joint deployments as the junta seeks to consolidate control after a series of coups.
The attack reportedly took place on 9 March near the town of Nampala in the Segou region, on a road leading toward the border with Mauritania.
At least 3 Russian soldiers killed
The publication Tankara News reported that militants from the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attack.
Local and security sources cited by the outlet said fighters targeted a Malian army convoy accompanied by Russian personnel from the Africa Corps. Although the militant group did not provide casualty figures, the sources reported roughly ten deaths, including at least three Russian fighters.
Russian and Malian forces blamed for seven civilian deaths nearby
Russian involvement in the region has also drawn criticism following another recent incident near the Mauritania border in which seven civilians were killed. According to the publication, Malian forces and their Russian allies were blamed for the deaths.
The events highlight the volatile security situation in central Mali, where local communities are caught between military operations by government forces and attacks by armed groups.
Russia as Malian junta's security backer
Russia’s presence in Mali expanded after the withdrawal of French troops and United Nations peacekeepers. Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group initially operated in the country before many of them were reorganized under the Africa Corps structure linked to Russia’s defense ministry.
Militarnyi reports that in addition to security cooperation, Russia has deepened economic ties with Mali, gaining access to natural resources including gold, uranium, and lithium, and signing agreements related to the development of gold refining infrastructure in the country.
