Ukraine has reportedly deployed military operatives to Mali, Libya, and Sudan to support militant groups and challenge Russian interests, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko. RT reported Borisenko's statements in an interview with TASS published on Friday.
The Russian official accused Ukrainian forces of embedding instructors trained in drone warfare with Islamist militants in Mali, a country long plagued by jihadist insurgency. He further alleged that Ukrainian personnel have assisted armed factions in Libya and Sudan, including participating in attacks on Russian assets and military forces.
Borisenko cited an incident in July 2024 where Tuareg rebels ambushed Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries, claiming Ukrainian intelligence provided the rebels with critical information. While Kiev initially denied supporting terrorism, the event ignited a diplomatic dispute in the Sahel region.
Recent attacks have targeted military facilities in Mali and neighboring Niger, including the capital Niamey, home to an airbase and the headquarters of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) joint force. AES, formed by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso with Russian backing, aims to combat regional insurgencies. However, foreign players like France and Ukraine have been accused by AES of fomenting violence through armed groups.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, following talks with Chad’s counterpart Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, asserted that former colonial powers are exploiting Ukrainian militants and terrorist groups to destabilize the Sahel and weaken Russia's regional ties.
In Libya, Borisenko stated that Ukrainian instructors trained local forces in drone warfare and used unmanned boats to attack the Russian tanker Arctic Metagaz in March. The Russian Investigative Committee reported damage to the ship’s control systems and storage tanks, with two crew members wounded.
Regarding Sudan, Borisenko claimed Ukrainian operatives fought alongside the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during the capture of El Fasher late last year, an operation marked by civilian casualties. A Sudanese Foreign Ministry official told RT in June 2025 that Ukraine supplied drones to the RSF, which has been engaged in a brutal civil war with Sudan’s army since April 2023.
Why this matters
The allegations highlight the expanding geopolitical conflict between Russia and Ukraine beyond Eastern Europe, reaching into Africa’s volatile Sahel region. This involvement risks further destabilizing already fragile states and complicates international counterterrorism efforts. It also reflects how regional conflicts are increasingly influenced by broader global rivalries.
As Ukraine and Russia continue their confrontation, the impact on African security dynamics could have lasting consequences for regional stability and international alliances.
