In a devastating attack in Mali, dozens of Wagner mercenaries and a Russian helicopter were lost in an ambush by al-Qaeda-affiliated rebels. The assault occurred near the desert town of Tinzawatene, close to the Algerian border, and was orchestrated by the group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (JNIM). Among the casualties was Nikita Fedyanin, the editor and owner of the Grey Zone Wagner Telegram channel and a well-known Kremlin propagandist.
☠️💀 Heavy losses of mercenaries of the former “Wagner Group” in 🇲🇱Mali. pic.twitter.com/d7YZDvzY1S
— MAKS 24 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) July 27, 2024
JNIM claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they used several powerful improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to halt the Wagner convoy. They reported that the ambush resulted in the deaths of 50 Wagner mercenaries and 10 Malian soldiers. In a statement, JNIM described how some of the wounded were executed, with many of the deceased identified as European due to their appearance and the Orthodox crosses around their necks.
Videos and images circulated on social media, showing the aftermath of the ambush. One video features an Arab man, likely a commander, inspecting a captured vehicle while Tuareg fighters, clad in traditional flowing robes and turbans, celebrated. Additional footage showed a Tuareg fighter taunting a Russian-speaking captive, and another clip revealed the wreckage of a helicopter amid the ruins of mud houses.
#Mali A convoy with the Russian private army was ambushed by separatist rebels in African state Mali. Dozens of Wagner fighters was killed.
A Wagner Mi-24 helicopter was also downed during the ambush. pic.twitter.com/mnQapR1afe
— WORLD AT WAR (@World_At_War_6) July 28, 2024
The attack’s aftermath was further detailed by Anastasia Kashevarova, a military blogger and Wagner supporter, who has a large online following. She confirmed the ambush, explaining that the Wagner convoy, poorly equipped and staffed with inadequately trained soldiers, was drawn into the trap by a small group of rebel fighters. According to Kashevarova, nearly all the Wagner personnel involved were killed, highlighting the group’s weakened state since many experienced fighters left after the 2023 rebellion, when control shifted to the Russian Ministry of Defence.
Fedyanin, who was killed in the attack, had recently expressed frustration over the difficulties in organizing convoys across the desert, criticizing the reliability of local allies. In his last post on the Grey Zone, he shared images of armed Wagner fighters posing in front of a burning tree, ironically captioned, “It’s hot in Africa, literally and figuratively.”
In two days of fighting near the Algerian border, dozens of #Wagner mercenaries were killed and injured by Mali’s northern Tuaregs. The Baza Telegram news channel reported that at least 20 Wagner fighters have been killed. pic.twitter.com/mIGWFLtLx0
— Our World (@MeetOurWorld) July 28, 2024
The Kremlin has been actively involved in Africa, supplying arms and mercenaries to support its allies and influencing political outcomes, including a series of coups against democratically elected leaders. This strategic interest in Africa has gained importance for Russia, especially after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as it seeks to challenge Western influence in the region. The United States has noted that Wagner forces have been present in Mali since 2020, supporting the ruling military junta.
Major Points:
- Dozens of Wagner mercenaries and a Russian helicopter were ambushed and killed by al-Qaeda-linked rebels near Tinzawatene, Mali.
- Nikita Fedyanin, the editor of the Grey Zone Wagner Telegram channel, was among the casualties in the attack.
- Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (JNIM) claimed responsibility, stating they used IEDs to stop the convoy, resulting in the deaths of 50 mercenaries and 10 Malian soldiers.
- Footage and images on social media showed the aftermath, including captured vehicles, taunting of prisoners, and wreckage.
TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
