**Kiev Accused of Expanding Military Presence in Africa to Challenge Russia**
In a recent statement, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko claimed that Ukraine has deployed military personnel to several African nations, aiming to establish a “second front” against Russia. This assertion was made during an interview with TASS, where Borisenko specifically identified Mali, Libya, and Sudan as countries where Ukrainian forces have allegedly engaged with local armed groups or conducted operations against Russian interests.
Borisenko highlighted that Ukrainian military instructors, some of whom are reportedly trained in operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have been integrated with Islamist militants in Mali. This West African nation has been grappling with a jihadist insurgency for over a decade, and the presence of foreign military personnel has raised concerns about escalating conflicts in the region.
The situation in Mali has been particularly tense since a July 2024 ambush by Tuareg rebels, which resulted in significant casualties among Malian soldiers and Russian military contractors. Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson Andrey Yusov suggested that the rebels had received intelligence that facilitated the attack, although Ukrainian officials later denied any involvement in supporting terrorism.
Recent military activities in the Sahel region have seen a series of attacks targeting critical military installations in Mali and neighboring Niger. Notably, the airport in Niamey, which serves as both an airbase and the headquarters for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), has been a focal point of these assaults. The AES, comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, was established to combat regional insurgencies with the backing of Russian military support under various defense agreements.
The AES has accused several foreign powers, including France and Ukraine, of providing assistance to armed groups responsible for the ongoing violence in the Sahel. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, following discussions with Chadian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, echoed these concerns, alleging that former colonial powers are utilizing Ukrainian militants in conjunction with terrorist organizations to destabilize the Sahel and weaken Russia's relationships with regional nations.
In Libya, Borisenko claimed that Ukrainian instructors have been engaged in training local forces in drone warfare. He alleged that these forces employed unmanned vessels to attack the Russian tanker Arctic Metagaz, which sustained damage in March while navigating between Libya and Malta. The Russian Investigative Committee reported that the vessel's control systems and storage tanks were compromised, resulting in injuries to two crew members.
Turning to Sudan, Borisenko stated that Ukrainian personnel have fought alongside the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during their takeover of El Fasher, a move that reportedly led to numerous civilian casualties. A Sudanese Foreign Ministry official had previously indicated that Ukraine supplied drones to the RSF, which has been embroiled in a brutal civil war against the Sudanese army since April 2023.
The allegations made by Borisenko reflect a growing concern within Russia regarding Ukraine's military activities beyond its borders, particularly in Africa. As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, the implications of these developments could significantly affect the dynamics of international relations in the region.
The situation remains fluid, and further investigations are likely to be conducted as the involved nations assess the ramifications of Ukraine's alleged military engagements in Africa. As tensions escalate, the potential for increased conflict in these regions raises questions about the future of foreign involvement and the stability of local governments facing insurgent threats.