In a catastrophic incident for Russian paramilitary forces, dozens of Russian mercenaries were killed in an ambush by rebels in northern Mali, marking their worst loss in Africa. The attack, which took place last week near the Algerian border, has sent shockwaves through the region and raised important questions about Russia’s proxy strategy in the Sahel.

Rebel fighters, reportedly from a coalition of Tuareg and al-Qaeda-linked groups, claimed responsibility for the attack. Videos circulating online show the aftermath, with bodies strewn across the desert and militants kicking captured Russians. The gruesome scenes underscore the growing danger Russian forces face in troubled regions of Africa.

The ambush occurred when the Russian mercenaries accompanied Malian government forces on patrol. The rebels claimed to have carried out a “complex ambush” that resulted in the deaths of 50 Russians and several Malian soldiers. According to some Russian Telegram channels, the death toll could be as high as 80.

The scale of the loss is unprecedented for Russian forces in Africa, which have been operating in Mali and other countries to support local regimes and counter Western influence. Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), made a shocking revelation, claiming that Ukrainian intelligence provided the rebels with information that made the attack possible. “The rebels received the necessary information, which made a successful military operation against Russian war criminals possible,” Yusov said.

The Wagner Group, a private military contractor now integrated into the Russian Defense Ministry’s African Corps, has suffered heavy losses in the past, including in Syria and Ukraine. However, the recent losses in Mali underscore the heightened risks of its operations in Africa. Wagner-linked channels reported that the group initially inflicted heavy losses on the militants, but was eventually defeated in a series of coordinated strikes using heavy weapons and drones.

Among the victims were Sergei Shevchenko, the commander of the Russian contingent, and reportedly Nikita Fedyanin, a popular Russian military blogger. Fedyanin’s death, while not officially confirmed, has been widely accepted after the Grey Zone Telegram channel he ran stopped updating.

The impact of the ambush extends beyond the direct loss of life. It challenges the effectiveness of Russian mercenary operations in Africa, where they have played a significant role in supporting regimes in Mali, the Central African Republic and other countries. Robert Besseling, CEO of security firm Pangea-Risk, emphasized the strategic implications, stating: “Major defeats for Russia’s Afrika Korps will complicate the Kremlin’s export of security services to military juntas in Africa.”

This incident could prompt African governments to reconsider their security alliances, and possibly look to emerging partners such as Turkey and the UAE. Reliance on Russian paramilitaries, often hired in exchange for access to natural resources, could diminish in light of their recent failures and the high costs associated with their services.

The Wagner Group has been active in Mali since the military junta seized power in 2021. Its involvement has been controversial, with reports of human rights abuses and a mixed record in fighting militant groups. The recent ambush by Tuareg and al-Qaeda-linked rebels has further tarnished its reputation.

The Institute for the Study of War suggested that the Russian Ministry of Defense could use this defeat to push for the replacement of Wagner units with other elements of the African Corps. However, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and limited resources, a full replacement may not be feasible.

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