Attack on PMC "Wagner": "Wagner" suffered the largest losses since 2018. What is known?

Recent events in northern Mali have once again drawn world attention to the conflict between government forces and Tuareg rebels. The incident, in which dozens of Malian military personnel and soldiers of the Russian PMC Wagner were killed and wounded, became a resonant event, confirmed by sources such as Reuters and the Associated Press (AP). Russian telegram channels also confirmed that the Wagner column was ambushed by Tuaregs, which led to significant losses.

Battle on the outskirts of Tinzawaten: a two-day battle

The rebel movement “Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development” (CSP-PSD) announced a large-scale attack on a convoy of government forces and mercenaries of the Wagner PMC. CSP-PSD spokesman Mohamed El Mauloud Ramadan said fighting continued for two days in the area of ​​Tinzawaten, near the Algerian border. According to the statement, the rebels “defeated the entire column of the Malian army and Russian mercenaries,” destroying a significant amount of enemy personnel and equipment. Some Malian soldiers and members of the Wagner PMC are reported to have surrendered to Tuareg militants, confirming the severity of the blow to government forces.

During the fighting, rebels captured armored vehicles, trucks and tankers, and also damaged a helicopter, which then crashed in the city of Kidal. The Malian army, in turn, reported the loss of two soldiers and the wounding of ten more, as well as the destruction of two armored vehicles and two pickup trucks. Despite this, the Malian Armed Forces stated that the rebels lost 20 people and several vehicles.

If reports of casualties among Wagner fighters are confirmed, this will be the biggest blow to Russian mercenaries in Mali, AP emphasizes. One unnamed Malian official confirmed to AFP that Malian forces lost at least 17 people in the clash. A former employee of the UN mission in the city of Kidal announced the death or capture of 15 Wagnerites.

Reaction of Russian telegram channels and the public

Information about the death of fighters from the Wagner PMC was confirmed by the Russian sabotage and assault reconnaissance group (DSRG) Rusich. The group explained what happened by saying that unprofessional commanders were appointed to command positions, and also reported that among the dead was the administrator of the Gray Zone telegram channel, known under the call sign “White.” The Gray Zone Telegram channel, according to sources, was run by 31-year-old Muscovite Nikita Fedyanin.

Journalist Anastasia Kashevarova also confirmed information about significant losses among Russian mercenaries. She refused to publish videos of the dead fighters, explaining this with respect for the fallen and a reluctance to show the abuse of bodies by Tuareg militants.

Telegram channel Directorate 4 published photo and video footage of the bodies of the dead, among whom were people of European appearance, identified as fighters of the Wagner PMC. The Baza channel reported that, according to preliminary data, at least 20 PMC servicemen were killed, among them was the Gray Zone administrator. Some sources claim that there were about fifty dead.

Context and consequences of the conflict

Wagner PMC has been operating in Mali since at least 2021, providing support to government forces. In recent years, the region has become the scene of a complex and bloody conflict involving various factions and interests. The Tuaregs, seeking independence and the creation of the state of Azawad, continue to fight for control of the northern part of the country. This region has always been an object of strategic interest for various forces, including French and Russian military contingents.

The French, who had divided Tuareg territory between several colonies, withdrew from the region, leaving it at the mercy of local militants and foreign mercenaries. The Wagner PMC, having replaced European forces, has achieved significant success, but recent events show that the struggle for control of the region is far from over.

The conflict in Mali continues to escalate, and if Russia intends to deploy new military forces in five African countries, including Mali, as previously reported, this will require clearing the region of militants. According to Bloomberg, it is planned to staff the new building with 20 thousand recruits and fighters from the Wagner PMC, which indicates the seriousness of Russia’s intentions in the region.

Meanwhile, one of the Tuaregs turned to the Ukrainians, offering them captured Russian mercenaries as a sign of support and solidarity with Ukraine.