Mali has cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine after Ukraine supplied intelligence to Malian rebels who ambushed Wagner Group forces in July.

Malian government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga condemned Ukraine’s actions, stating that Mali has always advocated for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Ukraine’s Security Service representative Andriy Yusov confirmed providing intelligence that enabled the successful operation against Russian forces, CNN has reported.

The ambush, claimed by Tuareg rebels and the al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM, resulted in significant casualties, with reports of up to 80 Russians killed, marking one of the worst losses for Russian paramilitaries in Africa.

Written by B.C. Begley