Russia’s defence ministry announced on Tuesday that two men, a Russian and a Ukrainian citizen have been freed following a special operation conducted in Mali. The individuals had been abducted in neighboring Niger in July 2024.
According to the ministry, both men were employees of a Russian geological exploration company. Their release was carried out by Russia’s Africa Corps, a state-controlled paramilitary force operating across several African countries.
The Africa Corps is regarded as the successor to the Wagner mercenary group and maintains a presence in nations such as Mali, Equatorial Guinea, and the Central African Republic.
Russian officials stated that the men were kidnapped by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an armed group linked to al-Qaeda, and were held in captivity until their recovery in Mali.
No further operational details were disclosed.
