Rebels ousted Russian mercenaries from key cities in Mali: all the details of the events
Russian mercenaries from the African Corps have abandoned a number of positions in Mali after fighting with rebels in the north of the country. The retreat from several settlements has weakened the positions of government troops and changed the situation in the region.
This is reported by La Revue Afrique.
Russian troops have left the strategic town of Tessalit after a standoff with rebels who have been pressing for control of the country’s north. The parties may have reached an agreement on the withdrawal of the militants from the town, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Thessalyt is the second city that Russian forces have abandoned in recent times. At the same time, their retreat has affected the positions of allied units of the Malian government army, which have lost control of part of the territory.
Separately, Russian mercenaries are also reported to have left a military base in the city of Kidal after fighting with Tuareg rebels. During the retreat, they evacuated equipment and the bodies of the dead.
According to available information, the Russian contingent received an ultimatum to transfer the facility under the control of the rebels, after which the parties agreed to withdraw the units from the camp.
During the retreat, the Malian government garrison was left without support and was forced to surrender. Rebel forces established control over the base and surrounding areas.
#Mali départ de tous les éléments de l’Africa Corps assembled à l’entrée de l’ancien camp sous escorte du FLA. Avec ce convoy les mercenaires russes quitten la ville et le camp. https://t.co/fGS1yA4E24 pic.twitter.com/ovNPLWYINw
— Wassim Nasr (@SimNasr) April 26, 2026
It is reported that the intensification of hostilities in the region continues, and the situation in northern Mali remains tense.
By the way, a Russian military helicopter was shot down in Mali near the city of Gao , killing the entire crew and paratroopers on board. The preliminary cause of the crash is said to be external fire.
Recall that in Mali on April 25, armed groups carried out a series of coordinated attacks in the capital Bamako and other cities of the country . The military announced battles with militants, which indicates a sharp escalation of the security situation.
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