Lavrov: Ukraine's military used in African terror ops
Moscow is concerned that Ukrainian soldiers are being deployed in operations by illegal armed formations (IAC) in Africa, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated.
Consensus
- Sergey Lavrov stated that information about foreign organizers and sponsors using Ukrainian military personnel in operations of illegal armed groups in Africa is alarming.
- Lavrov emphasized that the use of Ukrainian military personnel, not mercenaries, in these operations is concerning.
- Lavrov described the actions as state terrorism against Sahel states.
- Lavrov mentioned a major coordinated attack in Mali in April involving terrorist groups supported by Ukraine.
- The African Corps of the Russian Ministry of Defense assisted in suppressing the attack in Mali.
- The African Corps operates based on official requests from legitimate African governments and performs tasks assigned by them.
Points of divergence
- Lavrov referred to the attacks in Mali as having killed the Minister of Defense Sadio Camara and members of his family. — vesti
- Lavrov mentioned that he does not know what Western human rights groups write, but they have already established a certain reputation. — interfax
- Lavrov explicitly accused France of directly supporting, arming, financing, and training illegal armed groups in the Sahel region to undermine countries that have severed ties with former colonial powers. — interfax
Coverage (2 sources)
- Lavrov: Ukrainian soldiers are being recruited for terrorism in Africa, this is alarming — Вести
- Lavrov stated on use of Ukrainian military in operations of NWF in Africa — Интерфакс