The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused Ukraine of deliberately supporting armed groups in the Sahel region, particularly in countries aligned with Moscow, according to a statement made by spokesperson Maria Zakharova during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Zakharova claimed that Kyiv, facing difficulties on its own military front, has decided to "open a second front" in Africa by supporting militant groups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—all members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and countries with friendly ties to Russia.
Allegations of Direct Support to Militant Groups
According to Zakharova, Ukrainian intelligence services were directly implicated in supporting the radical group JNIM, which attacked Malian army positions near Koulikoro on May 30, 2025. She noted that African media outlets had repeatedly reported on this connection.
The diplomat also highlighted that following public statements by Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) about supporting Sahelian armed groups, Mali and Niger officially severed diplomatic ties with Kyiv in August 2024. Both countries subsequently appealed to the UN Security Council to condemn Ukraine's actions.
Despite these appeals and what Zakharova described as "documented evidence," she emphasized that Western nations have yet to take a formal stance on the matter, ignoring the concerns raised by African leaders.
Regional Ministers Discuss Foreign Interference
The issue was further discussed during recent debates on the African TV channel AFO Média, featuring foreign ministers from AES countries—Abdoulaye Diop (Mali), Bakary Yaou Sangaré (Niger), Stella Elaine Kabré (Burkina Faso), and Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey.
Mali's Foreign Ministry characterized the situation as a proxy war where "terrorists are sponsored both by regional countries and external powers providing them significant resources." Foreign Minister Diop suggested that Ukraine is not acting independently but as a "pawn of a powerful external coalition" with broader geopolitical ambitions aimed at destabilizing the Sahel.
Niger's Foreign Minister Sangaré added that the weapons used by combatants far exceed those available to regional armies. "According to the intelligence we have, these weapons come from two sources: the main one is the complicity of African countries serving as transit points, and the suppliers include countries like France. We have proof—we've even confronted French DGSE operatives and Ukrainian drones," he stated.
Implications for Nigeria and Regional Security
For Nigeria, which continues to battle terrorist groups in its northern regions and border areas, these developments serve as a warning. The alleged evidence of foreign interference and third-country support for violence in the Sahel underscores the need for stronger regional coordination on security, intelligence sharing, and border control.
Security analysts suggest that the West's silence on Ukraine's alleged intervention may further deepen distrust toward former colonial powers and highlight the urgency for new alliances based on sovereignty and mutual respect among African nations.
Reports also indicate that Ukrainian instructors allegedly enter Mali via Mauritania, delivering drones, Starlink equipment, and training JNIM combatants to target national armies—a development that could have serious implications for the broader stability of West Africa.
Neither Ukraine nor Western nations have officially responded to these allegations at the time of reporting.
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