Ukraine is extending its confrontation with Russia far beyond its own borders. Ukrainian drone specialists are reportedly operating in Mali’s deserts, assisting local forces fighting Russian troops. CNN reported on the matter.

According to the outlet, around 15 Ukrainian specialists have been deployed to Mali. Their role is said to focus mainly on support, training, and operational assistance for insurgent groups in the country’s north.

Ukrainian operators work remotely

Ukrainian military personnel are cooperating with a largely Tuareg movement known as the Azawad Liberation Front.

One Ukrainian drone operator told CNN that he coordinates the work of local fighters from a distance. He said the drone’s video signal reaches him online, after which he uses radio communication to tell the operator what to do next.

“I coordinate their operations remotely. The signal from their drone comes to me through the internet, and I immediately tell them by radio what to do and where to fly,” the serviceman said.

He stressed that he does not personally go to the front line because he has received orders from his command not to do so.

Ukrainian experience is being used in different countries

A CNN source in Ukrainian intelligence said Ukrainian specialists have also been present in Sudan. In addition, soldiers from Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso have traveled to Mali to learn how to use drones from Ukrainian military instructors.

Ukraine has also reportedly sent groups of military experts to at least five countries in the Middle East. There, they trained local forces to counter Iranian-made Shahed attack drones, which Russia has used extensively against Ukraine.

In exchange for military expertise, Kyiv reportedly received security cooperation agreements and promises of ammunition supplies, according to CNN.

Desert conditions require different tactics

Conditions in Mali differ sharply from those on the Ukrainian front. Daytime temperatures regularly rise above 43 degrees Celsius, while nights can become much colder. Sand and dust create additional risks for equipment.

A Ukrainian intelligence representative said that heat and dust cause equipment to fail more quickly. Filters, cooling systems, electronic protection, and batteries all need to be adapted to the environment.

The nature of combat is also different. The source told the outlet:

“In Ukraine, it is high-intensity warfare, mass strikes, and constant pressure. Here, it is more of a mobile war across vast areas, with ambushes, route control, small-unit operations, and dependence on knowledge of the terrain.”

According to him, Ukrainians teach local fighters battlefield tactics, while Ukrainian personnel themselves learn desert survival and combat skills from their local partners.

Ukrainians reportedly assisted operations against Russians near Kidal

Ukrainian military personnel also spoke to CNN about operations around the strategically important city of Kidal in northern Mali.

Earlier this year, Tuareg rebels and militants linked to al-Qaeda launched simultaneous attacks against Russian forces. Russia then accused Kyiv of being involved, claiming that Ukrainian and European instructors had allegedly trained the rebels before the assault.

A representative of Ukrainian intelligence told CNN that the purpose of such operations is to put pressure on Russia and show other countries that Moscow is not a dependable partner.

“We are turning our experience in the drone sphere into a foreign policy tool,” he said.

Ukrainian personnel are also active in Libya

CNN also reported that Ukrainian naval drone operators are present in northwestern Libya. Their unit is said to use a base in Misrata as a platform for operations against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.

This refers to oil tankers that Russia uses to bypass international sanctions and continue selling oil, thereby financing its war.

On one occasion, a Ukrainian naval drone carrying explosives reportedly escaped operator control and ended up near the Greek island of Lefkada. Greece issued a diplomatic protest to Ukraine, after which Kyiv formally apologized.

Russia is also using Africa to test weapons

At the same time, Moscow is strengthening its military presence across the Sahel. Following the dismantling of the Wagner Group, Russia merged its remaining elements with regular forces and formed the Africa Corps, which supports governments loyal to the Kremlin.

Russia is seeking to entrench itself in a region where the withdrawal of French and other Western troops created a security vacuum. In return, Moscow gains political influence, financial benefits, and access to natural resources.

Ukrainian intelligence believes that the confrontation in Africa carries not only military but also strategic importance for Kyiv. One Ukrainian operator said:

“It puts pressure on them. This whole story has both psychological and real consequences.”

Russia’s activity in Africa: latest developments

Russia has been rapidly expanding its military footprint in Libya, increasing activity at six major air bases. According to U.S. geospatial intelligence assessments, these moves are part of a broader effort to expand Moscow’s influence in North Africa and the Sahel.

The buildup has focused on the Jufra, Al-Khadim, Gardabia, Brak al-Shati, Maaten al-Sarra, and Tamanhint air bases, located across central, eastern, and southern Libya.

According to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, Russia has recruited at least 2,982 people from 37 African countries into its armed forces.