Maiga refers to statements from a spokesperson for the Ukrainian intelligence service GUR, which he believes suggest that Kiev may have been indirectly involved in the losses suffered by the Russian mercenary group Wagner and Malian soldiers in battles against separatists and jihadists.
A separatist movement in northern Mali claimed this week that over 80 fighters from the Russian militia group Wagner and around 50 Malian soldiers were killed in intense battles at the end of July. The battles have been described as an ambush led by both Tuaregs and jihadists.
The Wagner group has been present in Mali since the end of 2021, following a military coup. Mali's new government forced out France and international peacekeeping forces and instead turned to Russian Wagner for military support.
Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed his support for the Malian government in a phone call with his counterpart Abdoulaye Diop.
