**Title: Russian Soldiers Freed from Captivity in Mali Share Their Ordeal**
Two Russian soldiers, Aleksandr Efremov and Vasily Nagalev, who spent over two years in captivity in Mali, have recounted their harrowing experiences following their release. The servicemen were captured in 2024 during an ambush near the Algerian border, where militants from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM attacked a Malian military convoy that was being supported by Russia’s Wagner Group.
In an exclusive interview with RT’s Daria Vaganova, the soldiers described the extreme conditions they faced during their captivity, which lasted a total of 755 days. They endured relentless heat, constant shackling, inadequate food, and barely drinkable water. The soldiers indicated that their reality was far removed from the portrayals often seen in films, emphasizing the desolation of their surroundings. “In movies, you can usually escape, but here there’s nowhere to run because there’s nothing but Sahara everywhere,” Efremov stated, summarizing their ordeal as “Sahara and chains.”
The soldiers explained that their legs were continuously shackled, and after about a year in captivity, the hope of being rescued began to diminish. “There was hope for about the first year, but by the second year, it didn’t matter anymore whether we’d be released or not,” Efremov recalled. The psychological toll was significant, with moments of despair leading them to wish for a swift end to their suffering.
Their release was reportedly secured through negotiations involving the Russian Defense Ministry’s Africa Corps and the Malian General Staff, with mediation by the Libyan National Army, led by General Saddam Haftar. Following their release, a Russian medical specialist assessed their health and noted the severe impact of their captivity on their physical condition. The specialist indicated that the food provided to them was “extremely detrimental” and that they had been “practically drinking from a puddle.” As a result, both soldiers are experiencing health issues related to their intestines, liver, and other organs, but are currently in stable condition and expected to return to Russia within a week or two once their health stabilizes.
Despite their traumatic experience, Efremov and Nagalev expressed their intention to continue serving in the Russian military after their recovery, with plans to participate in Moscow’s military operations against Ukraine.
The Sahel region, where the soldiers were held, has been plagued by militant violence for over a decade, with various extremist groups, including those linked to Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, conducting attacks across Mali and neighboring countries. Russia has accused foreign powers, including Ukraine, of attempting to destabilize the region by supporting extremist factions.
During their captivity, Efremov and Nagalev observed that their captors appeared to have substantial external support. “They certainly receive money because they have everything,” Nagalev noted, while Efremov added that the militants were well-equipped with resources, weapons, and funding.
The Wagner Group, with which both soldiers had previously served, has ceased operations in Mali, with Russia’s Africa Corps now taking over its responsibilities in assisting Sahel governments in combating militant threats. Recent military actions have seen Malian and Russian forces reclaim strategic locations from extremist groups, including the northern town of Anefis and a successful defense against a large-scale attack on an army base in the central city of San.
As the situation in the Sahel continues to evolve, the experiences of Efremov and Nagalev highlight the ongoing challenges faced by military personnel in the region and the complex dynamics of international involvement in combating terrorism.