US says Russia's Wagner Group seeking to transit material acquisitions through Mali

The U.S. State Department on Monday said Russian mercenary force Wagner Group is trying to obscure its efforts to acquire military equipment for use in Ukraine, adding that Washington has been informed that Wagner is seeking to transit material acquisitions to aid Russia in the war through Mali.

"There are indications that Wagner has been attempting to purchase military systems from foreign suppliers and route these weapons through Mali as a third party. We have not seen as of yet any indications that these acquisitions have been finalized or executed, but we are monitoring the situation closely," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.