18:38 28-04-2026

Russia Says Foreign Instructors Trained Mali Fighters

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Russia’s Defense Ministry says 12,000 militants in Mali were trained with Ukrainian and European instructors before the failed coup attempt.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said terrorist groups in Mali numbered around 12,000 fighters. According to the ministry, their training involved Ukrainian and European mercenary instructors.

The ministry also stated that the instructors used Western-made Stinger and Mistral man-portable air defense systems during the training.

During the fighting, the opposing forces suffered heavy losses, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. It reported that more than 2,500 terrorists, 102 vehicles, two «Shahed-mobiles», 152 motorcycles and seven mortars were destroyed.

At the same time, the ministry said the terrorist groups have not abandoned their plans and are now regrouping. The situation in the Republic of Mali remains difficult.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that illegal armed formations attempted an armed coup in Mali on April 25. The attacks targeted Bamako and the major cities of Sevare, Gao and Kidal at the same time.

The ministry said units of the Russian Armed Forces’ African Corps inflicted heavy losses on superior enemy forces and prevented the coup attempt.