Ukrainian military personnel are attempting to establish a «second front» against Russia in Africa, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko has said.

The diplomat claimed that Ukrainian activity across the continent has intensified in recent months. His remarks followed an earlier statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who accused the West of using militants from Ukraine to weaken Moscow’s ties with countries in the Sahel region.

According to Borisenko, Ukrainian servicemen are operating in several African states. He alleged that Ukrainian instructors in Mali are working alongside Islamist militants and training them to use unmanned aerial vehicles.

The deputy foreign minister also pointed to Libya. He said Ukrainian specialists who had allegedly trained local forces in drone operations later used unmanned surface vessels against the Russian tanker Arctic Metagaz. The ship was damaged on March 3 and, according to Borisenko, remains adrift in the Mediterranean Sea.

Borisenko further claimed that Ukrainian mercenaries have appeared in other African countries. He cited Sudan, alleging that they fought alongside the rebel Rapid Support Forces during the capture of El Fasher in November last year. He added that a significant number of civilians were killed in the city after the takeover.