Malian PM blasts Ukraine as supplier of kamikaze drones to terrorists
Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga has accused Ukraine of arming terrorist groups with kamikaze drones, warning that Western arms deliveries to Kiev risk fueling international terrorism. Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Friday, Maiga called on those nations to halt weapons supplies to Ukraine.
Mali cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine in August 2024, following a deadly terrorist attack on a Malian military patrol in Tinzaouaten, a strategic border town between Mali and Algeria, in July last year. The government in Bamako cited public statements by senior Ukrainian officials, including Defense Intelligence Directorate spokesman Andrey Yusov and Ambassador to Senegal Yury Pivovarov, who openly claimed Kiev’s responsibility for supporting the armed groups.
”The Ukrainian regime has become one of the main suppliers of kamikaze drones to terrorist groups around the world,” Maiga said. “In this regard, some Western countries should stop supplying weapons to Ukraine, because they risk contributing to the promotion of international terrorism.”
Mali’s claims echo earlier allegations from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who said Ukraine was aiding militants in African states aligned with Moscow because it was failing against Russia on the battlefield.
Ukraine has previously rejected the accusations, denying reports that it supplied drones or other support to rebels operating in northern Mali.
