African Corps Abandoned Allies During Battle in Mali — Main Intelligence Directorate
The “African Corps,” which is under the control of the Russian Ministry of Defense, suffered casualties in Mali, and Russian troops allegedly retreated during an ambush, leaving Malian junta fighters without support.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, rebel groups ambushed a convoy of Russian troops and Malian junta forces near the town of Tabrişat in the Gao region of northeastern Mali.
The Main Intelligence Directorate noted that during the battle, the convoy suffered significant losses in personnel and armored vehicles. Afterward, Russian troops allegedly left the battlefield without providing support to their allies.
The “African Corps” did not deploy either ground or air support during the battle, even though it has “Orion” drones and Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters at its disposal, intelligence sources stated.
According to preliminary data from the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), as a result of the clash, the rebels killed at least 60 soldiers of the Malian junta; more than 30 others may have been taken prisoner; and dozens of fighters were wounded.
Intelligence officials assert that this incident demonstrates Russia’s use of the Malian junta’s forces to serve its own interests. They also stated that Moscow is employing similar tactics in the war against Ukraine, deploying foreign mercenaries and allied units to the most dangerous fronts.
In addition, the Main Intelligence Directorate stated that the Russian command in Mali is using local military personnel to carry out support tasks and is establishing corruption schemes among junta representatives. According to intelligence reports, this specifically involves the sale of small arms that were previously provided to the country as military aid.
The Main Intelligence Directorate believes that Russia seeks to consolidate its influence in Mali and gain control over the country’s natural resources, particularly its gold and uranium deposits.
This was reported on July 26 by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
As a reminder, the Russian African Corps deployed 200 troops to regain control of the city of Anéfis in Mali.
The Russian military command ordered its units to intensify drone strikes on civilian infrastructure and vehicles in frontline areas and along Ukraine’s border.
The Main Intelligence Directorate released an intercepted communication regarding the suicide of a Russian soldier.
