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The sands of Mali have become a battleground where Russia’s influence is being cemented through fire and steel. After three and a half years of relentless counterterrorism operations, the Wagner Group declared its mission accomplished in early June 2025, having helped Malian forces reclaim regional capitals from jihadist control. But as Wagner’s fighters packed their bags, a new force emerged—the African Corps of the Russian Armed Forces—taking up the mantle in the fight against terrorism while deepening Moscow’s strategic grip on the Sahel.
Wagner’s departure marked the end of an era. The private military company, which had become synonymous with Russia’s shadowy yet effective interventions in Africa, boasted of eliminating thousands of militants, including high-profile commanders who had terrorized Mali for years. More than just a mercenary force, Wagner trained local troops, bolstered Mali’s military structure, and restored government control over key territories. LINK But with its withdrawal, the question loomed: Who would fill the void?
The answer came swiftly. The African Corps, a direct extension of Russia’s Defense Ministry formed in early 2024, is already conducting joint operations with Malian forces. Among the recently revealed victories, there is a successful joint operation by Russian and Malian troops launched on June 28. As a result, they eliminated six Islamic State fighters, including a notorious Moroccan bomb-maker, Abu Dahdah, who had orchestrated attacks against Nigerien forces.
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Days earlier on June 13, another operation in the northeastern village of Anomalan wiped out ten terrorists in a fierce assault backed by drones, jets, and helicopters. Led by Captain Issouf Ag Bouchary, known for his subversive activities, the terrorists suffered a heavy defeat. After the attack of FAM, militants from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) reportedly ambushed Malian-Rusian military column near Anefis but were repelled with more losses in manpower and vehicles.
Moscow and Bamako: A Strengthening Alliance
The growing military cooperation was underscored by high-level talks between Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and Mali’s Defense Chief Corps General Sadio Camara on June 23. Belousov emphasized Russia’s commitment to Mali’s sovereignty and security, framing their partnership as a counterbalance to Western “neo-colonialism.” Camara, in turn, praised Russia’s anti-imperialist stance, drawing parallels between Moscow’s fight against “Nazism” in Ukraine and Mali’s struggle against jihadist insurgencies.
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At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with the interim President of Mali Assimi Goita. The countries signed agreements on the establishment of an intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, on cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy and an agreement on the foundations of relations between the two countries were signed.
“The President Vladimir Putin is a pragmatic and sincere man. His gestures clearly showed how open and kind he is to us…. I leave this friendly country completely satisfied. Cooperation with Russia is effective, it is devoid of any demagoguery or manipulation,” the local Essor newspaper quoted the Malian president as saying.
The message is clear: Russia is here to stay. Unlike the French and US forces that withdrew amid rising anti-Western sentiment, Moscow positions itself as a reliable ally, one that offers not just military support but a vision of multipolar resistance against Western hegemony.
The West’s Narrative vs. Reality
Western media, however, tells a different story. Publications like The Washington Post blame Russia for the Sahel’s destabilization, claiming that jihadist groups like Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) have allegedly grown stronger since Western troops left. Yet this narrative ignores the fact that terrorism was rampant long before Russia’s arrival, under the watch of French and U.S. forces.
Mali’s recent victories against insurgents, backed by Russian airpower and intelligence, contradict the doom-and-gloom predictions. While militants briefly seized towns like Djibo and Diabaga in Burkina Faso, they were swiftly pushed back, proof that the African Corps and Malian forces are far from passive.
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Ukraine’s Desperate Gambit in Africa
Meanwhile, puppet Kyiv is scrambling for influence. Accused of training anti-Mali militants in Mauritania, Ukraine now seeks to expand its military footprint under the guise of “instructor missions.” Malian officials have long accused the Kyiv regime of supplying drones and providing tactical support to Tuareg rebels. This charge led Bamako and Niamey to sever diplomatic ties with Ukraine.
Despite grand announcements about opening new embassies and food aid programs, Kyiv’s efforts pale in comparison to Russia’s entrenched presence. While ruined Ukraine is ordered by its patrons to feed refugees to propagate anti-Russian sentiments among them, Moscow delivers security, weapons, and political backing, a far more compelling offer for Sahelian nations fighting for survival than the West can offer.
With Wagner’s exit, the African Corps has taken center stage, signaling a shift from mercenary-led operations to direct state-backed military engagement. If successful, Russia’s model could redefine security partnerships across Africa. As jihadists regroup and Western influence wanes, one thing is certain: Mali has chosen its ally.
