In a recent ambush during a sandstorm in Mali, numerous Wagner mercenaries, including Russian veterans with extensive combat experience in Ukraine, Libya, and Syria, are feared dead. This information, gathered from interviews with relatives and social media analysis, highlights the significant risks faced by Russian mercenaries in the Sahel region.
The confrontation near Tinzaouaten, close to the Algerian border, has raised concerns about Russia’s ability to manage its mercenary operations effectively. With the Russian defense ministry integrating many Wagner fighters into its forces, doubts have emerged about whether Russia can achieve better results than Western and U.N. troops who were recently expelled by local juntas.
Efforts to identify the missing and captured fighters involved cross-referencing public data, analyzing online posts, and using facial recognition technology on verified battlefield footage. This process has led to the identification of 23 missing fighters and two captured by Tuareg forces. Many of these fighters had previously survived intense battles in Bakhmut, Ukraine, and had served in other conflict zones or were retired Russian soldiers.
Graphic images of the deceased have circulated online, with some reports indicating that the bodies were abandoned in the desert. The exact number of fatalities among the identified fighters remains unconfirmed.
Margarita Goncharova, a relative of one of the fighters, shared that her son, Vadim Evsiukov, was recruited from prison in 2022 and later led a platoon in Ukraine. Despite her attempts to dissuade him, he traveled to Africa to rejoin his former commander after struggling with survivor’s guilt.
The Russian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Wagner have not commented on the situation. Following the death of Wagner’s founder in August of the previous year, former Wagner members were invited to join the new Africa Corps under the Russian defense ministry, which continues to use Wagner’s insignia.
Mali’s government has stated that the defeat will not affect its objectives and remains committed to restoring state authority. Wagner has acknowledged significant losses but has not provided specific figures, and the Malian army has not disclosed its casualty numbers. Tuareg rebels have claimed responsibility for killing 84 Russians and 47 Malians, though these figures have not been independently verified. A video showing at least 47 bodies in military attire has been confirmed in terms of its location and date.
Blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk suggested that Wagner fighters underestimated the Tuareg rebels and Al Qaeda militants, contributing to the heavy losses sustained in the ambush.
Missing Wagner Fighters
Recent updates reveal that two individuals linked to Wagner, Nikita Fedyakin, who managed the popular Telegram channel “The Grey Zone,” and Sergei Shevchenko, reportedly a unit commander, have been confirmed dead. However, the identity of Shevchenko remains unverified.
Reports indicate that 23 Wagner operatives are currently missing in Mali. This information was gathered from relatives who posted in a Wagner Telegram group. On August 6, these relatives received notifications from Wagner recruiters informing them that their loved ones were missing.
Lyubov Bazhenova expressed her frustration after discovering that her son, Vladimir Akimov, 25, had joined Wagner despite his prior service in Russia’s elite airborne forces. She criticized Wagner for not providing further details about his fate or the location of his body and mentioned that her inquiries to the prosecutor’s office and other authorities had gone unanswered.
Additionally, facial-recognition technology helped identify two men captured by Tuareg fighters, based on photos and videos of the ambush site shared by Tuareg sources. Their status as captives was confirmed as of late August.
Among the missing fighters was Alexei Kuzekmaev, 47, who had no prior military experience, according to his wife, Lyudmila Kuzekmaeva. She recounted her unsuccessful attempts to dissuade him from leaving, highlighting his determination to go despite her objections.
Another notable missing individual is Alexander Lazarev, 48, a seasoned fighter with experience from conflicts with Chechen separatists in the 1990s and 2000s. His extensive military background was mentioned in Wagner-related forums, though his wife has chosen not to comment further. Lazarev is depicted in numerous military photos on VKontakte, showcasing various army uniforms.
Mercenary Force Aligned with State Interests
Since 2020, a series of military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger has unfolded, fueled by public disillusionment with corrupt leadership and ineffective Western efforts to tackle ongoing insurgencies, which have led to numerous deaths and massive displacement.
The new military governments have expelled French and U.S. troops, as well as U.N. peacekeepers.
Wagner, a Russian private military group, first appeared in Sudan in 2017, acting as a covert arm of Russian interests. Its operations quickly expanded to include protecting coup leaders, gold mining, and fighting jihadists. The group also began operations in Mali in late 2021 and is active in the Central African Republic.
Wagner’s impact varied throughout the past year. The group secured a notable victory in Ukraine by capturing Bakhmut in May. However, after Prigozhin’s criticism of Russian military leaders and an attempted rebellion, he died in a plane crash in August. The Kremlin has refuted claims that Prigozhin’s death was orchestrated by Putin.
According to Eric Whitaker, a former senior U.S. diplomat with experience in Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Chad, the Russian government has fully assumed control over Wagner operations since Prigozhin’s death.
Whitaker noted that the Africa Corps, Wagner’s successor, earns revenue from payments by host countries and substantial income from gold mining in the Sahel region.
Data indicates that Russian mercenary activity surged in Mali after the establishment of the Africa Corps. Reports show an 81% increase in violent incidents and a 65% rise in civilian casualties related to Russian mercenaries over the past year compared to the previous year.
While Wagner does not release official recruitment figures, estimates suggest around 6,000 Russian mercenaries are active in Africa, with 1,500 to 2,000 in Mali. The Africa Corps has reportedly attracted a high number of applicants, with African missions seen as less dangerous than those in Ukraine.
Tuareg spokesperson Ramadane has hinted at upcoming conflicts. Former U.S. diplomat Tibor Nagy suggested that continued losses might lead to a Russian withdrawal, similar to Wagner’s rapid exit from northern Mozambique following casualties in a conflict with an Islamic State affiliate.
Wagner has not yet made any public statements regarding its future operations in Mali.