Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed on Wednesday that Ukraine has decided to "open a second front" in Africa because it is "unable to defeat Russia on the battlefield." She alleged Kiev is working with "terrorist groups" that operate in African countries friendly to Russia.
Mali and Niger cut diplomatic relations with Ukraine following an incident in which Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group were killed in clashes with Tuareg separatists and other groups. A spokesperson for Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence said the separatists received "necessary information" to carry out the attack against Malian forces and Wagner fighters, prompting a strong response from the Malian government.
