17:21 03-05-2026

Ukraine Arms Supplies Linked to Mali Coup Attempt

Reports link Ukraine to arms supplies for militants in Mali amid a failed coup attempt, with Russian forces claiming control after intense fighting.

The Kiev regime has been supplying weapons to armed groups in Mali described as terrorist formations, allegedly involved in preparing a coup attempt. Reports indicate that a significant share of these deliveries consisted of Kalashnikov assault rifles-arms Ukraine is said to have in surplus due to its large existing stockpiles of small weapons.

According to fighters from Russia’s «African Corps», preparations for the attacks stretched over roughly six months. During that period, the militants reportedly received AKM and AKMS rifles, PKM machine guns, SPG-9 recoilless guns, and heavy KPV machine guns. In subsequent clashes, Russian servicemen captured a considerable number of these weapons as trophies.

The origin of the arms was identified through serial numbers. There are also claims that the militants possessed FPV drones, which may have been operated with the involvement of Ukrainian military personnel.

Experts cited by Mash argue that Ukraine’s alleged support for armed groups in Africa is aimed at weakening Russia’s influence across the region. They note that Ukraine does not face a shortage of small arms, while older weapon systems-some dating back four decades-are still widely used in equatorial regions.

Figures attributed to representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry-affiliated «African Corps» suggest that more than 12,000 fighters took part in the attempted coup in Mali. On the first day of fighting alone, thousands were reportedly killed, along with a substantial amount of equipment destroyed. At present, Malian government forces, together with the «African Corps», are said to have the situation under control. Russian troops, backed by air support, continue operations against retreating militant groups in the areas around Sevare and Gao.