Russia's Africa Corps abandoned allies during battle in Mali - Ukrainian intel
Photo: Soldiers of Mali's ruling junta (Getty Images)
Russian troops abandoned their allies during a battle in Mali, leaving them to fend for themselves. The ambush resulted in devastating losses, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry (HUR).
According to HUR, in early July 2026, Russia's Defense Ministry-controlled Africa Corps, together with troops from Mali's ruling military junta, was ambushed by local rebel groups. The convoy was traveling near the settlement of Tabrishat in the Gao region in northeastern Mali.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the convoy sustained heavy losses in both armored vehicles and personnel during the attack. At that point, Russian forces withdrew, leaving the Malian troops without ground or air support.
HUR noted that the Africa Corps has Orion drones as well as Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters at its disposal, but none of these assets were used to cover the retreating allies.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least 60 Malian soldiers were killed, while another 30 or more were captured. Dozens of others were wounded.
How Russia uses its allies in Mali
"This episode once again demonstrated that Russia uses the soldiers of Mali's ruling junta as cannon fodder to achieve its own objectives in Mali," HUR said.
The agency added that Russia follows the same approach in its war against Ukraine, sending foreign mercenaries to their deaths in so-called "meat assaults."
"The leaders of the Africa Corps in Mali behave like slave owners. Soldiers of the local regime's army serve as menial labor for the Russians: they perform all the dirty work, act as loaders, and clean up after the Russians in their barracks," HUR said.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russian personnel have also established corruption schemes involving the Malian military leadership, including the sale of small arms that had previously been supplied as part of so-called "military assistance."
HUR added that Russia's primary objective in Mali is to gain control over the country's gold and uranium deposits while expanding its influence across the African continent.
While Russia continues military operations outside Ukraine, its army is also sustaining heavy losses on the Ukrainian front.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Russian military is losing more than 5,000–6,000 troops every week, calling the war one of the bloodiest conflicts of modern times.
