Azawad Rebels Target Russian Mercenaries and Malian Junta with FPV Drone

An FPV drone operated by Azawad rebels struck a convoy of vehicles belonging to Russian mercenaries from the African Corps and Malian junta forces, according to a video published by the war_noir project on the X platform.

As with a previous attack reported by Miltarnyi on June 12, the target was again a vehicle convoy.

However, several indicators — such as the model of the truck hit — suggest this was a separate incident.

The previous ambush used Belgian-made PRB-M3-A1 anti-tank mines. In the latest case, the strike involved an FPV drone carrying a PG-7V anti-tank grenade.

Footage shows the destruction of an excavator. The purpose of the engineering equipment used by Russian and Malian forces remains unclear.

The attacks may be linked to the reported withdrawal of Russian mercenaries from Mali, first disclosed on June 7.

Ukrainian Trace

In July 2024, reports emerged that Tuareg rebels in Mali had received support to carry out operations against Russian mercenaries affiliated with the Wagner Group.

According to Le Monde, Ukrainian special services were directly involved in training the Tuareg fighters, including instruction on the use of drones.

Tuareg fighters with a Ukrainian flag after a successful ambush of a Wagner convoy in Mali. Photo: Kyiv Post

The report said Ukraine also provided strategic intelligence on the location and movement of Russian forces.

That support may have played a key role in a rebel attack that reportedly killed at least 84 Wagner fighters.