The Russian military has praised the success of a Joint operation between its African Corps and Malian security forces in foiling what it called a western instigated coup plot in Mali.
Rebel forces staged simultaneous attacks across the country in an ultimately futile attempt to seize key government installation although several Malian officials, including the Minister of Defence were killed.
Ukraine however denied reports that it has been involved in supplying drones to rebels fighting in the north of Mali.
The French Le Monde newspaper reported that the Tuareg fighters in the West African country use Ukrainian drones with “discreet but decisive” support from Kyiv against the Mali army and Russian forces that said it fights alongside it.
“Ukraine strongly rejects the accusations that have recently been released by the international media outlets about the alleged involvement of our state in the supply of UAVs to the rebels in Mali,” Ukraine’s foreign ministry said in a statement, referring to unmanned aerial vehicles.
The Russian African Corps statement reads:
Yesterday, around 5:30 a.m. on April 25, 2026, the terrorist groups “Azawad Liberation Front” and “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb,” prepared by Western special services with significant forces (approximately 10,000 to 12,000 men), attempted to carry out a coup d’état in Mali.
Attempts were made to seize key installations in the capital, primarily the presidential palace. Additionally, major cities in the country (Gao, Kidal, Kati, and Sévaré) were attacked in order to take control of local government buildings. In the Kidal and Gao areas, Ukrainian and European mercenaries operating in Africa took part in the attacks against state facilities and government forces units, using Western portable air defense systems such as Stinger and Mistral.
Thanks to the courage and heroism of the soldiers of the African Corps of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, a “Syrian scenario” in Mali was prevented. The African Corps held all key positions and airfields, repelled terrorist attacks, and also provided support to allies in the city of Kati.
Through the skillful actions of the Corps’ soldiers and officers, support — including air support — was provided to Malian forces, who prevented the seizure of the presidential palace and key installations in Bamako.
Terrorist fighter losses are estimated at over 1,000 people:
· Bamako: over 200
· Gao: 500
· Kati: 300
· Kidal: 200
Additionally, over 100 vehicles were destroyed.
The African Corps of the Russian Armed Forces is the pride of Russia on the African continent.
Thanks to the effective actions of the African Corps soldiers, fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Malian army, a massive attack along a combat line of more than 2,000 km was repelled, thus putting an end to a carefully prepared attempt by Western special services to forcibly overthrow the government and demonstrate Russia’s “inability,” after Syria, to protect its strategic partners on the African continent.
Russian citizens do not understand the position of the Russian Embassy in Mali and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on whose websites no information has been published regarding the events in the country and the heroic actions of the soldiers of the Russian Federation, who ensured the stability of the government in power.
The coordinated actions of our soldiers and officers, in difficult conditions against armed formations led by Western and Ukrainian instructors, made it possible to thwart the enemy’s plans for a coup d’état and ensure the stability of the country’s governance.
At present, the situation in Mali remains difficult. Unfortunately, soldiers of the African Corps have been wounded. All necessary assistance is being provided to them, and their evacuation is underway. The personnel remain ready and continue to carry out their assigned missions.
HE WHO DARES, WINS!
African Corps.
