Ukraine Is at War with Russia in Africa — CNN
The Russian-Ukrainian war, which has been raging for over 12 years, has now spread even to the deserts of Africa. In northern Mali, another front has opened up in the conflict against Russian invaders, according to a CNN report.
An
elite group of Ukrainian drone operators is taking out enemy forces in Africa. Previously, they hunted down Russian occupiers from dugouts in Ukraine, and now they’re doing the same work in the middle of the desert, operating under extremely challenging conditions.
“During the day, temperatures regularly exceed 43 degrees Celsius, and at night they drop sharply. Water is scarce, and dust and sand are everywhere. But at least they’re on the ground,” the publication notes.
As journalists have learned, about 15 Ukrainian specialists are assisting local rebels who are fighting Russian troops.
Russia seeks to expand its influence in Africa and establish itself as a major player on the international stage. Moscow has shown particular interest in the Sahel region, which is rich in natural resources but at the same time politically unstable and prone to military coups.
The Ukrainian group operating in Mali maintains close ties with the “Azawad Liberation Front,” which is primarily composed of Tuareg rebels from the north of the country.
According to CNN, Ukrainian specialists do not take direct part in frontline combat. They train local rebels, provide them with support, and participate in planning operations.
One of the Ukrainian drone operators currently in Mali explained that he remotely coordinates the actions of local fighters. The video feed from the drone is transmitted to him via the internet, after which he relays commands to the operator via radio and guides his work.
After the operation is complete, the Ukrainian specialist analyzes its course of action and reviews specific details together with the local fighters. He does not travel to the front lines himself because, as he says, his superiors have explicitly forbidden him from doing so.
A CNN source in Ukrainian intelligence explained that one of the main goals of overseas operations is to significantly weaken Russian influence. Kyiv seeks to put pressure on Moscow while simultaneously undermining the perception of Russia as a reliable ally for African countries.
“We are turning our expertise in the field of drones into a foreign policy tool,” the source noted.
At the same time, such activities also bring practical benefits to Ukraine. Operating in conditions that differ significantly from the Ukrainian theater of operations allows Ukraine to test its equipment, hone its skills, and demonstrate the effectiveness of Ukrainian methods to international partners.
The African climate poses additional challenges for the equipment. Due to extreme heat and high levels of dust, the equipment wears out faster, so cooling and filtration systems, electronics protection, and batteries all require adaptation.
At the same time, combat tactics also differ. According to a Ukrainian intelligence officer, both sides are forced to adapt to one another: Ukrainian specialists share their experience in conducting operations using drones with local fighters, while in return they learn survival and combat skills specific to the Sahel environment.
Despite the relatively small size of the Ukrainian contingent in Mali, its activities demonstrate Kyiv’s growing confidence in its own expertise in the use of drone technology. Ukraine is increasingly applying these capabilities not only on the battlefield but also as a tool for international influence, according to a CNN report.
