# Ukraine Backs Sahel Separatists

> Ukraine's military intelligence trains Sahel rebels using drones, sparking Mali's diplomatic rift with Kyiv.
- Title: Ukraine Backs Sahel Separatists · Allafrica | Shortify
- Summary: Ukraine's military intelligence trains Sahel rebels using drones, sparking Mali's diplomatic rift with Kyiv. Ukraine provides drone training to Sahel…
- Keywords: ukraine, mali, sahel, fla, jnim, drones, mali army, russia, kyiv, niger, bura, mauritania
- Source: Allafrica — https://allafrica.com/stories/202610090408.html
- Published: 2026-10-09T11:56:50+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ukraine, mali, sahel, fla, jnim, drones, mali army, russia, kyiv, niger, bura, mauritania
## Ukraine vows counter in Sahel
Ukraine pledges to counter Russia in Africa's Sahel desert, backing Tuareg separatists battling Mali's army.

> Ukraine has vowed to counter Russia wherever it can, even "in the scorching sands" of the Sahelian desert
## Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso sever ties
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso cut diplomatic relations with Kyiv after accusing Ukraine of supplying weapons to separatists.

> Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, all led by military juntas that have turned their backs on former colonial ruler France and moved closer to Russia, have reacted by severing diplomatic relations with Kyiv
## Malian minister accuses Ukraine
Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop claims Ukraine supports terrorist groups undermining Mali's territorial integrity.

> In Africa and the Sahel, (Ukraine) is providing clear and open support to terrorist groups and other mafia-like groups to undermine our country's territorial integrity
## Niger's PM blames Ukraine
Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine alleges Ukraine directs proxies to attack military positions and oil facilities.

> Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine singled out France and Ukraine, alleging they were directing "proxies" along his country's northeastern borders to attack military positions and oil facilities
## Budanov hints at Ukrainian agents
Former Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov posted about Ukrainian agents in Africa's Sahel region on X.

> From Russia to Africa... the Main Intelligence Directorate protects Ukrainian interests across the globe by all means... in the scorching sands of deserts and the freezing snows of Antarctica
## FLA confirms Ukrainian training
FLA source says Ukraine trained 30-day drone operators in northern Mali, with some combatants receiving instruction.

> In 2023, "three or four Ukrainians" travelled to northern Mali to train some FLA fighters and several combatants underwent "an intensive 30-day course in Ukraine on the use of FPV (first-person view) drones"
## Mauritania as key hub
Mauritania serves as main crossing point for Ukrainian-FLA exchanges, with drones sourced from Ukraine.

> It is no coincidence that Kyiv opened an embassy in Nouakchott in 2024, given that Mauritania serves as a rear base for FLA leaders
## Key takeaway

Ukraine provides drone training to Sahel separatists, leading Mali to cut ties with Kyiv over alleged weapons support.