Ukraine has urged swift international legal action after alleging that Russian forces and affiliated units are committing widespread atrocities in Mali similar to those reported during the war in Ukraine. The call adds a new dimension to Kyiv’s diplomatic effort to challenge Moscow’s expanding military footprint in Africa.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha wrote on X that reports from Mali detailing rape, torture, extrajudicial killings and looting by Russian-linked forces reflected patterns previously documented in Ukraine. He said the abuses were consistent with allegations levelled against fighters of the paramilitary Wagner Group, Africa Corps personnel and regular Russian army units.

Sybiha argued that these formations operate with the approval of Russia’s Ministry of Defence and should be subject to international prosecution. He called on governments to issue arrest warrants, impose additional sanctions and authorise UN-led independent investigations to establish the extent of the alleged crimes.

Mali has relied on Russian military support since late 2021, following a breakdown in cooperation with European partners and the withdrawal of French troops under Operation Barkhane. The ruling military authorities have repeatedly denied accusations of abuses, while rights groups, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have reported mass killings in central Mali linked to joint Malian–Russian operations.

Sybiha warned African governments against deeper security ties with Moscow, saying modern Russia brought “lawlessness, atrocities, and plundering.” He urged the international community to help African states strengthen accountability mechanisms and address insecurity associated with foreign military deployments.

The allegations come amid broader scrutiny of Russia’s use of private military contractors such as Wagner and affiliated paramilitary structures across Africa. Independent monitors have documented previous abuses linked to Wagner operatives in the Central African Republic, Sudan and Libya. Analysts say Moscow’s Africa Corps — presented as a post-Wagner structure and officially under Ministry of Defence control— continues many of the same functions, including regime protection and combat operations.

Ukraine’s intervention highlights a strategic shift as Kyiv seeks to counter Russian influence beyond Europe, drawing attention to shared patterns of alleged human rights violations. The move also aligns with Western concerns about the destabilising effects of Russian paramilitary involvement in the Sahel, where insecurity and a series of coups has deepened despite shifts in external partnerships.

The UN has previously raised concerns about civilian harm in Mali following the end of the MINUSMA peacekeeping mission in 2023, while the West African regional bloc ECOWAS has cited deteriorating security conditions as a regional risk.