Five injured in Pavlohrad following Russian attack – official

Last week, a large-scale attack on a central army base in Mali resulted in the deaths of at least 50 soldiers and five Russian mercenaries, according to security and local sources. The assault on the Dioura military camp, claimed by jihadists, marks one of the deadliest incidents faced by the Malian army since the conflict began over a decade ago. Reports suggest the death toll could be as high as 60 to 80 soldiers. Several dozen Malian soldiers were also captured during the attack.

Following the assault, the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) swiftly claimed control of the Malian army barracks in Dioura via their communication channels. Since late April, JNIM, along with its Tuareg separatist allies, has carried out a series of attacks aimed at weakening the country's junta rulers.

These attacks include the capture of the northern city of Kidal and the killing of the defense minister. Since 2012, Mali has endured a serious security crisis, fueled by violence from jihadists allied to Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State group, as well as criminal gangs and armed separatists. The country's ruling junta, which took power in two successive coups in 2020 and 2021, has distanced itself from France and moved closer to Russia in both military and political spheres.