The Latest Breaking News from Wagner

This is the first major attack on Bamako since 2015 when fighters targeted foreigners in a nightclub and hotel.

Authorities in Mali say the capital Bamako is "under control" following an early morning attack on Tuesday in which shots were fired at a gendarmerie building and a military zone near the city’s airport. The al Qaeda-linked group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (Jnim) has claimed responsibility.

The Battle of Tinzawaten, in the Sahara Desert, was the Wagner Group's worst defeat in Africa. Between July 25 and 27, separatist Tuareg rebels along with Islamist fighters killed between 50 and 67 of the Russian group's mercenaries near Tinzawaten in northern Mali. The FRANCE 24 Observers compiled a special…

Ivan Rossomakhin was recruited from prison in 2022, committed another killing while on leave in Russia and was sent back to the frontline.

At least 10 coup attempts have been recorded in Central and West Africa since the August 2020 military takeover in Mali.

Mali’s army, which has been fighting with the separatist groups in the north of the country, confirms the attack.

Mali's military-led government has suspended broadcasting by French private news channel LCI on its territory for two months, alleging "false accusations" were made on air against the army and its Russian allies.

Russia suffered significant blows to its reputation in mid-2024. An attack on its territory by Ukraine came as a surprise. In west Africa, the Wagner mercenary group, supported by Russia, suffered one of its heaviest fatalities in Mali.

Mali recently severed relations with Ukraine as Ukrainian-backed Tuareg rebels killed at least 84 Russian soldiers in a well-executed ambush.

While Russia’s army is bogged down in Ukraine, its mercenaries are faring no better in Africa.

Bamako has cut ties with Kyiv, accusing it of complicity in an attack that killed Malian soldiers and Wagner troops.