Russia has accused Ukraine and France of involvement in a recent terrorist attack in Bamako, the capital of Mali, citing claims allegedly made by a captured militant linked to an al-Qaeda-affiliated group.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the Russian Embassy in Kenya alleged that the attack was coordinated with foreign support.
According to the embassy, “the attack on Bamako, Mali, was organised with the help of Ukrainian and French instructors, according to a captured terrorist, Hama Sisse, from JNIM (affiliated with Al-Qaeda),” a claim it said was obtained through interrogation by Russia’s Africa Corps.
The statement further alleged that “the foreigners trained the militants for the attack and drew up the plan of action,” suggesting external involvement in the planning and execution of the assault.
The accusations relate to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group that has remained active across Mali and the wider Sahel region, often carrying out coordinated attacks against military and civilian targets. The group has also been known to operate alongside other armed factions, including separatist groups in northern Mali.
At the time of filing this report, neither Ukraine nor France had issued an official response to the allegations, and the claims have not been independently verified.
The latest remarks add to already heightened tensions surrounding security in Mali, where militant attacks have intensified in recent months despite ongoing military operations by the ruling junta and its international partners.
In April 2026, Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, was reported killed following a series of coordinated attacks on military facilities near Bamako. The assault, which included an attack on his residence in Kati, was described as one of the most significant security breaches in the country in recent years.
Analysts say the growing frequency and sophistication of such attacks highlight the deepening instability in the Sahel, where multiple armed groups continue to exploit weak state control and shifting international alliances.
Camara, who played a central role in Mali’s 2020 and 2021 military coups, was regarded as one of the most influential figures within the country’s current leadership structure.
