Tuareg and Al-Qaeda Ambush Wagner, Malian Forces

Dozens of Wagner Group mercenaries and Malian soldiers were killed in multiple ambushes by Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda affiliates in northern Mali. The Wagner Group confirmed casualties, including the death of commander Sergei Shevchenko. The Tuareg rebels and Islamist militants claimed responsibility, boasting significant equipment seizures and numerous enemy fatalities. Ukrainian intelligence reportedly provided crucial information to the rebels, indicating a new dimension in Ukraine's efforts against Russia. The Malian army acknowledged substantial losses in clashes involving heavy weaponry, drones, and car bombs. This conflict highlights the ongoing instability in Mali, where the military junta has severed ties with former colonial power France and increasingly relies on Russian support.