In a tragic turn of events, Russian mercenaries operating in Mali faced a severe setback after a deadly ambush near the Algerian border last week. Reports suggest that a coalition of Tuareg rebels and the al Qaeda affiliate in the Sahel, known as JNIM (Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin), collaborated to trap a convoy of Russian fighters accompanying Malian government troops.

According to JNIM, the "complex ambush" resulted in the death of 50 Russians, with some Russian fighters and Malian soldiers captured during the battle. Unofficial sources on Russian Telegram channels claim the death toll of Russian paramilitaries could be as high as 80, marking one of the worst losses experienced by Russian proxies in Africa in recent years.

The attack unfolded over several days, with the Russian contingent initially inflicting heavy losses on the militants. However, the armed groups regrouped and intensified their assaults, using heavy weapons, drones, and suicide vehicles. The battle culminated in a dire situation, with a radio message from the remaining fighters conveying the grim reality that only three of them were left to continue fighting.

Among the casualties was Sergei Shevchenko, the commander of the ambushed contingent, along with popular military blogger Nikita Fedyanin. The exact number of casualties, including captured fighters and deceased Malian troops, remains unverified. Ukrainian official Andriy Yusov claimed that Ukraine provided intelligence that aided the successful operation against the Russian mercenary group, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict.

The incident highlights the growing influence of Russian elements in regions such as Mali, Central African Republic, Niger, and Burkina Faso, as they seek to challenge Western dominance and support unstable regimes. The loss suffered by the Russian mercenaries underscores the risks associated with operating in volatile regions and navigating complex alliances among rebel groups in the Sahel.