Russian Mercenaries Face Deadly Ambush in Mali

A deadly ambush by Tuareg rebels in Mali has resulted in significant losses among Wagner mercenaries, including experienced Russian war veterans. The incident raises concerns about the role and effectiveness of Russian mercenaries in Africa following the loss of Western and U.N. forces. Wagner faces heavy casualties and criticism.

A deadly ambush by Tuareg rebels in Mali has claimed the lives of numerous Wagner mercenaries, according to interviews with relatives and social media data reviews. These mercenaries, many of whom are seasoned Russian war veterans, faced severe losses amid the desert sandstorm battle in July.

This event highlights the perilous conditions for Russian mercenaries operating under African military juntas striving to control separatist movements and Islamic State offshoots in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Experts and officials in the region doubt whether Moscow, now funding Wagner and incorporating its fighters into its defense forces, can perform better than recently expelled Western and U.N. troops.

Using a combination of public information, social media posts, and facial recognition software, Reuters identified 23 missing fighters and two captured by Tuareg rebels near Tinzaouaten. The Russian Ministry of Defense and Wagner have not commented on the incident, but Wagner's social media channels remain active.

(With inputs from agencies.)