Ukraine goes back on allegation it has weaponized rebels in Mali
Date
10/17/2024 3:24:29 AM
(MENAFN) Ukraine has officially dismissed allegations suggesting its involvement in providing drones to Tuareg militants in Mali. This response comes after reports from French media claimed that Ukraine had offered "discreet but decisive" support to the rebels, aiding their efforts against the pro-Russian government in Bamako.
The controversy intensified following a significant defeat suffered by Malian forces and their allies from the Wagner Group in an ambush in July. Andrey Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, HUR, previously acknowledged that his agency had provided the Tuareg rebels with critical information, which he claimed facilitated a successful military operation.
According to a report from the French newspaper *Le Monde*, the Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA)—a coalition mainly consisting of Tuareg militant forces—has been trained in drone warfare by the Ukrainian intelligence agency. The Tuareg militants reportedly used light quadcopter drones to deploy explosives against Malian government troops and Wagner Group personnel in at least three ambushes since July, although the exact number of these drones allegedly supplied by Ukraine remains unspecified.
In a statement released on Monday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry categorically rejected the media's accusations regarding the country's involvement in supplying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the rebels in Mali. The ministry reiterated its stance, emphasizing, “We also reject all accusations against Ukraine regarding the alleged involvement of our state in the entry into the Sahel region of weapons and military equipment supplied to Ukraine.”
The situation highlights the complexity of international relations in the Sahel region, where various actors are navigating intricate political and military dynamics. As Ukraine continues to grapple with its own conflicts, the implications of such allegations could further strain its diplomatic relations, particularly in regions where Russian influence is rapidly expanding.
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