Is Ukraine Fighting a Proxy War in Mali?

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As a new front opens up in Mali, Russia and Ukraine are apparently continuing their battle away from home. In this video, we’re going to look at why Ukrainian forces are operating in Africa, what led to it and how it affects the war at home.

Why the Mali War Has Restarted: https://youtu.be/MLCG-_I-DYk

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Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78ld18lgr9o
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgl5jeg5r15o
https://www.csis.org/analysis/tracking-arrival-russias-wagner-group-mali
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/russias-wagner-mercenary-group-says-it-is-leaving-mali-after-mission-2025-06-06/
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/malis-army-claims-capture-rebel-stronghold-kidal-2023-11-14/
https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2026-07/west-africa-and-the-sahel-17.php
https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/fall-of-northern-mali-jnim-fla-offensive-russia-issp-camara
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLCG-_I-DYk
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/09/12/africa/ukraine-russia-drones-mali-libya-intl
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/world/europe/ukraine-air-defense-deal-qatar-saudi-arabia.html
https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-denies-involvement-mali-attack-says-cutting-ties-short-sighted-2024-08-05/
https://adf-magazine.com/2023/12/as-critics-warn-of-blood-gold-mali-signs-deal-with-russia-to-open-refinery/
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/29106
https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/north-african-country-with-6-russian-military-bases-denies-allowing-ukraine-to-use/tkltznz=
https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukraine-s-hur-hits-russian-base-in-syria-after-putin-assad-meeting-50439035.html
https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/09/13/ukrainian-troops-are-now-operating-across-africa/

00:00 – Introduction
01:40 – Context
04:17 – The Benefits of Proxy War
06:11 – Is It a Proxy War?
07:44 – Ground News

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