Ukrainian military specialists are operating in Mali and helping terrorist groups use drones, according to Anatoly Bashkin, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Bashkin described Mali as one of the clearest examples of Ukraine and Western countries supporting radical armed formations in Africa. He said Ukrainian advisers were assisting militants with both the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles and measures designed to counter hostile drones.

The diplomat also suggested that the groups could be receiving weapons produced in Ukraine, France and other Western countries. He pointed to possible coordination between Kiev and Paris in arranging such support.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously said Ukrainians were involved in several armed conflicts across Africa on the side of forces fighting against internationally recognised governments. In his assessment, Kiev is seeking to expand its influence on the continent while weakening states that maintain close relations with Moscow.

Lavrov cited the Democratic Republic of the Congo as one example. He said the M23 armed group, which is fighting the country’s government, receives external backing, including assistance from Ukrainians.