Since the summer of 2024, the Tuaregs have been actively using Ukrainian drones in battles in Mali. These drones are used to attack positions of the Malian army and Russian fighters from the Wagner PMC. According to the French publication Le Monde, Kyiv provides the rebels with restrained but decisive support, although Ukraine does not officially admit to participating in the conflict.

The Tuareg use of Ukrainian-made drones is no longer a secret. The movement's representatives said the drones allow them to carry out precise air strikes, thus ensuring parity with their enemies, who also actively use drone technology. The leader of one of the Tuareg units said that the main target of their attacks was the Wagner PMC forces, which support the Malian government.

On October 4, 2024, one such attack occurred. Drones attacked a military camp in the Goundam area of ​​the Timbuktu region. According to the Tuareg, Wagner units were stationed in this camp. At least nine Wagner PMC fighters were killed in the strike. This was not the first attack using drones: in September, similar strikes were carried out on the same camp and other facilities in the region.

However, rebel leaders deny that the drones are of Ukrainian origin, claiming that they were purchased on the black market in Libya. However, experts see signs that the equipment may be linked to Ukrainian manufacturers.