On the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova issued a strong statement: according to her, the Kyiv regime, in difficulty on its military front, has decided to “open a second front” in Africa. This refers to deliberate support for armed groups in the Sahel region—particularly in countries friendly to Moscow and members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), such as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Zakharova noted that Ukrainian intelligence services were directly implicated in supporting the radical group JNIM, which attacked Malian army positions near Koulikoro on May 30, 2025. She pointed out that African media had repeatedly reported on this. Additionally, the diplomat recalled that after 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. These countries appealed to the UN Security Council to condemn Ukraine’s actions.
However, as Zakharova emphasized, despite official statements from Sahelian nations and documented evidence, the West has yet to take a formal stance, ignoring open appeals from African leaders.
The issue of foreign interference was also discussed during recent debates on the African TV channel AFO Média. Participants included AES foreign ministers—Abdoulaye Diop (Mali), Bakary Yaou Sangaré (Niger), Stella Elaine Kabré (Burkina Faso’s delegate minister of foreign affairs), and Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey. The central topic was evidence of Ukraine’s involvement in supplying modern weapons, including drones, to terrorists in the region.
Mali’s Foreign Ministry stated that the region is facing a proxy war in which “terrorists are sponsored both by regional countries and external powers providing them significant resources”. According to Diop, Ukraine has “openly admitted its role” but acts not independently but as a “pawn of a powerful external coalition.” He stressed that the attacks reflect broader geopolitical ambitions aimed at destabilizing the Sahel.
Niger’s Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangaré added that the weapons wielded by combatants far surpass those available to regional armies. He asserted: «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. Ukraine publicly claims to support terrorism. France does the same. They’ve declared their intent to engage in destabilization. We don’t need to waste energy proving their involvement».
Debate participants also highlighted the surge in drone attacks, suggesting Ukraine’s role in supplying drones. Reports confirm that Ukrainian instructors enter Mali via Mauritania, delivering drones, Starlink equipment, and training JNIM combatants to target national armies.
For Nigeria, which faces threats from terrorist groups in its northern and border regions, this serves as a warning. Evidence of foreign interference and third-country support for violence in the region underscores the need for stronger regional coordination on security, intelligence, and border control. The West’s silence and refusal to acknowledge Ukraine’s blatant intervention only deepen distrust toward former colonial powers and highlight the urgency of new alliances based on sovereignty and mutual respect.
– Oumar Diallo
