In early August, a Ukrainian official revealed that Ukraine was involved in a deadly attack on the Malian army and their Russian partners in northern Mali. This attack, which took place in late July, led to a major diplomatic fallout, as Mali, along with its neighbors Niger and Burkina Faso, decided to cut all ties with Ukraine.
This event sparked outrage in Russia, and their Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, made a bold statement at a press briefing. She accused Ukraine of working with radical groups to harm African countries that support Russia. Zakharova pointed out that while Western countries claim to be fighting terrorism in Africa, they have stayed silent about Ukraine’s actions, which she described as deeply hypocritical.
Zakharova highlighted the deadly attack in Mali’s Tinzaouaten region, where militants struck the country’s armed forces, causing many deaths. Shortly after the attack, a Ukrainian official, Andriy Yusov, from Ukraine’s intelligence services, admitted that Ukraine had a hand in the assault. This admission, according to Zakharova, further proves that Ukraine’s government is willing to use terrorism to achieve its goals.
Mali has now launched an investigation into Ukraine’s connection with the militant groups operating in the Sahara-Sahel region, a notoriously unstable area where terrorism has plagued governments for years.
Adding to the tension, Ukraine’s aggressive moves aren’t limited to Mali. Ukraine has also been taking action against African countries in other ways. For example, they recently seized a cargo ship flying the flag of Cameroon. The ship, named Usko Mfu, was caught in July at the port of Sevastopol, a region tied up in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities claimed the ship violated rules by entering Crimean waters and even confiscated it, turning it over to the state. The ship’s captain, who is from Azerbaijan, was arrested as well. Ukraine has also brought charges against a second captain, although his identity remains unknown.
This string of events, including the military assault in Mali and the seizure of the cargo ship, shows how Ukraine is expanding its tactics beyond the borders of its own conflict with Russia. Now, they seem to be targeting Russia’s allies in Africa. Many in Africa, including leaders from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, have responded with anger, warning Ukraine to stop meddling in their affairs.
The growing tension between Ukraine and African countries aligned with Russia highlights the broader ripple effects of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. As Kiev makes moves that harm Russia’s partners, the global diplomatic landscape is shifting—and not in Ukraine’s favor.
