The Ukrainian military engagement in Africa

The Ukrainian military engagement in Africa

consists primarily of special operations by the Ukrainian Security Service (HUR/GUR) against pro-Russian forces, particularly the Wagner Group (later renamed Afrika Korps). Available information suggests that the Ukrainian Security Service and/or Ukrainian special forces are primarily active in Africa in the areas of sabotage and covert operations. According to reports, including those from Russian and British sources, a Ukrainian sabotage unit has been formed, trained by the British intelligence service MI6, and is intended for deployment in Africa. The main objective of this unit appears to be the sabotage of infrastructure in African countries. Specific details of the individual special operations are rarely publicly available due to secrecy and political sensitivity. However, it is reported that these operations are part of a larger strategy to gain influence in Africa and potentially weaken Russian interests there. “This is part of the shadow war” which aims to curb Russian influence, gold mining operations that finance the war in Ukraine, and mercenary activities on the continent. Sudan (2023–2024) Reports indicate that Ukraine deployed approximately 100 special forces to Khartoum in mid-2023. The initial objective was to evacuate Sudanese President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, but the operation expanded to include direct action against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Wagner-backed rebel group. The Ukrainian armed forces carried out the following actions: - Precision drone attacks - Ground operations at night - “Clean-up operations” against Wagner fighters and their local allies. According to reports, these events took place primarily in West Africa and Sudan. The Ukrainian secret service claims to have been involved in the killing of dozens of Russian Wagner mercenaries in West Africa. In Sudan, there are reports and even videos allegedly showing Ukrainian special forces interrogating Wagner mercenaries, suggesting active operations against Wagner forces in that country. Ukrainian forces are also active in Mali, in the Sahel region, against Wagner allies, supporting local rebels. These operations are part of a covert military strategy by Ukraine to combat Russian mercenary groups in Africa and weaken their influence. Footage released through Ukrainian channels and picked up by media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and the Kyiv Post showed HUR forces using drones and night-vision equipment to interrogate captured Wagner fighters. These fighters admitted their intention to overthrow the Sudanese government. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with al-Burhan in September 2023. These actions were aimed at disrupting Wagner's gold mining operations in Sudan, which helped finance Russia's war effort. In Africa, the Tuareg rebels in Mali are particularly affected in their fight against the Russian Wagner mercenaries and their local allies. The Tuareg are an ethnic group in the Sahel region, active in Mali and neighboring countries. They are fighting against the Malian government and the Wagner Group, who act as mercenaries for the Malian military junta. Ukraine is apparently supporting these rebels with military and intelligence assistance in order to weaken the influence of the Wagner Group and thus Russia in the region. This support has led to diplomatic tensions, as Mali accuses Ukraine of supporting terrorists. Which is not untrue. According to several reports, the Wagner Group, a private Russian military company, has earned over $2.5 billion through illegal gold mining activities in Africa since the start of the war in Ukraine. These proceeds are being used extensively to finance the Russian war effort. Wagner operates illegal gold mines in various African countries. These activities are part of their business model and are often carried out by exploiting conflicts and unstable regions. The revenues generated from gold mining flow directly into financing Russia's military operations, particularly in the Ukraine war. This allows Wagner and Russia to maintain their military activities despite international sanctions and economic isolation. Because of these connections, international organizations and governments have imposed sanctions on companies and individuals associated with Wagner and his gold mining activities. The World Gold Council and other organizations have published detailed reports documenting the links between Wagner's gold mines and the financing of the war. Mali (2024) Ukrainian intelligence provided Tuareg separatist rebels in northern Mali with “necessary intelligence” (and reportedly trained them in the use of combat drones). This contributed to a devastating ambush near Tinzaouaten in July 2024, in which rebels killed at least 84 Wagner Group/Afrika Corps fighters and about 47 Malian soldiers. HUR spokesman Andriy Yusov publicly referred to the operation as an attack against “Russian war criminals.” Mali responded by severing diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Niger did the same, and other Sahel states criticized the interference. This incident highlighted the diplomatic cost of Ukraine’s actions, as it angered several African governments allied with Russia. Prior to Russia's comprehensive invasion, Ukraine participated in several UN peacekeeping missions in Africa from the 1990s onwards: - Engineering and logistics support in Angola (MONUA, 1996–1999). - Transport, medical evacuation and observation in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). - Missions in Ethiopia/Eritrea (UNMEE) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC/MONUSCO). These were standard UN contributions focusing on engineering, humanitarian aid and stabilization – not on combat operations against specific adversaries. Then there were some other activities. Ukrainian-linked companies like the Omega Group operated in Burkina Faso, among other places, and recruited experienced personnel. Ukrainian helicopters provided medical evacuation support as part of UN missions (e.g., in Mali). These were commercial, not official state military, operations. Ukraine offered military training to countries like Mauritania (exchange of drone and combat experience) and declared its willingness to support other countries in the fight against Russian influence. The Ukrainian Air Force (HUR) claimed responsibility for operations that compromised Russian communications networks in Africa. Ukraine's Africa strategy (developed for the period 2023–2026) emphasizes diplomacy, agriculture, and defense partnerships to gain United Nations support and counter Russian narratives. However, direct and indirect military actions against Russian proxies have led to setbacks, including the severing of relations with Mali and Niger, and criticism from ECOWAS and other states for escalating regional conflicts. Kyiv portrays these actions as a defense to "continue killing Russians worldwide" and to cut off funding for the invasion of Ukraine. Russia accuses Ukraine of interference while simultaneously recruiting thousands of Africans to fight in Ukraine—estimates range from over 1,700 to 1,780 fighters from 36 countries, who are suffering heavy losses.