Mali Ambush: Ukrainian Special Forces Led the Operation?
Let’s try to unpack what really happened in the Mali Ambush — and what became of Wagner’s so-called elite. A few years ago, Wagner PMC fighters were marketed as the crème de la crème of Russia’s military elite. Later, when recruitment of scum from prisons began, the company’s reputation changed sharply. Instead of seasoned professionals trained in elite units, Wagner became a meat grinder — mass-producing cannon fodder. Still, Wagner served its purpose: it pioneered Russia’s new model of military staffing. After the failed mutiny, it exited the stage. But it didn’t leave into nowhere, but to Africa, where both previously created structures and personnel practically survived.
In Africa, they didn’t bring in convicts like in Bakhmut. There, Wagner operates with its original elite — the ones who were recruited early on. And they’re doing just fine. They self-finance by seizing control of mineral-rich zones previously developed by the French — gold, diamonds, you name it. That’s enough to pay decent salaries. The elite has something to hold onto.
Some of these elite Pidars¹ fought in Ukraine and left a bloody trail. That’s why, from time to time, our specialists go hunting — with support from the French Foreign Legion. Today, we learned that in Mali, local Tuaregs ambushed a convoy of the junta’s forces, reinforced by Wagner fighters.
The Ambush Details
The Mali Ambush turned out to be extremely successful. The entire column was defeated. Up to 90 personnel were eliminated in total. Those remaining alive were taken prisoner. Among the killed — the admin of Wagner’s propaganda Telegram channel GREY ZONE. The Orcs² themselves already confirm this. Moreover, these messages come from several independent and sometimes even warring sources.
Particularly interesting is the fact that a Mi-24 helicopter covering the column from the air was shot down. By Tuaregs. Here what’s important is that the helicopter’s destruction happened in open terrain, since there’s desert. You need to know how to act so the helicopter with a Stinger doesn’t notice you. And as we see, those attacking the column did everything clearly. We know the modesty of our specialists. Therefore — we understand what kind of “Tuaregs” worked there.
As of the morning of July 28, we didn’t have data about where the column was moving and what its goal was. In addition, it wasn’t clear what armaments managed to literally “clear” such a large column. The Wagner have combat experience and unconditionally understand what and how needs to be done in a specific situation.
However, we can say the attacking side fully used the surprise effect. They destroyed the column’s personnel before it could somehow react to the changed situation. In general, the battle was decisive, fire — point-blank. Only professionals who have real and extensive combat experience can arrange such things.
Evidence of Ukrainian Involvement
We conclude our specialists performed the entire operation. They work in such places where not just Wagner fighters are guaranteed, but those criminals who left heavy traces in Ukraine. It was decided to move even to Africa after their heads.
And literally just now, one of the most informed enemy Telegram channels confirmed our version. It reported some details that put a lot in place. This concerns both the enemy’s casualty numbers and some characters who were surely the operation’s main target:
We specifically didn’t rush with this publication. We checked everything, talked with a number of sources who have corresponding access. In Mali, a column of Wagner PMC fighters moving together with local units was attacked. According to our information, approximately 80-85 people died. At least 15 more were captured. An Mi-24 helicopter was lost, as well as armored vehicles.
Information about the death of GREY ZONE channel admin “Pyatisoty” was confirmed. Also, we’re forced to report that with a high degree of probability, Hero of Russia, Wagner PMC commander with call sign “Lotos” died. A great loss for the entire “orchestra”³, a real warrior and skillful commander. He participated in battles not only in Mali, but also in Ukraine, Syria, and CAR.
The column was defeated attempting to capture the city of Tinzaouaten. In video recordings distributed on the network, they’re allegedly talking about local Tuaregs shooting up the column. But interlocutors in the Ministry of Defense lean toward the fact that Tuaregs could hardly have done this on their own.
Mines stood on the column’s route. Moreover, after the first detonations, FPV drones attacked the equipment. The handwriting is similar to how they fight now in the SVO zone. One of the Tuareg warriors already stated they’re allegedly ready to transfer prisoners to Ukraine.
The Orcs confirm the elimination of the psychopath Nikita “Pyatisoty” Fedyanin. He was a professional and ruthless maniac‑killer. Additionally, I can say that in 2022 this Pidar served in the 10th brigade of the Main Intelligence Directorate, at the time when the Armed Forces of Ukraine were liberating the Kharkiv region. The losses of Russian special forces there were so severe that only 3–4 Pidars from an entire platoon agreed to go on combat missions. Among them was the bastard Fedyanin.
Professional Execution
We’ll continue our conclusions. The column wasn’t just moving from point A to point B transporting something. It was advancing to attack a settlement under the control of junta opponents.
This is an important point. In such a case, weapons, ammunition, equipment, and everything else were in place and ready precisely for battle, not just for escort, when a fight may or may not happen. All this unit, numbering about 100 bayonets, was going precisely to enter battle.
Another important point is that the attacking side clearly had a complete understanding of what and how Wagner plans to do. This includes the number of forces and means, time, route, and most importantly — the personal composition of the Wagner group. Obviously, the information leak was of such scale that participation of Wagner’s top leadership in precisely this operation was exposed. Such a chance is a great rarity. Apparently, our entire special forces group participated in the operation. It most likely bases in one of the African camps of the French army’s Foreign Legion.
Wagner’s African Funeral: A Classic Ambush in Mali
The success of the Mali Ambush hinged on one thing: lightning-fast execution. So Wagner fighters didn’t have time to take defense. Judging by everything, this succeeded. If the enemy itself confirms they laid down about 90 people simply on the spot, and numerous videos show Tuaregs really walking across a field of corpses lying along the convoy — then everything happened very quickly. Most likely, our military aimed to eliminate precisely Wagner’s top, which has hands up to elbows in Ukrainians’ blood. And everything else — to the Tuaregs’ taste.
In addition, the Orcs complain the helicopter was cut down quickly and professionally. Therefore, they began working on the column not only with small arms and grenade launchers, but also with FPV drones.
Moreover, mines weren’t just placed on the column’s route but also along the roadsides to hit those fleeing from armored vehicles — this is our Ukrainian signature. And this is definitely not the Tuaregs’ handwriting. Probably, the Tuaregs’ main task was to sit quietly until Ukrainian specialists did the main work. Well, and then — they simply gave all the glory of defeating the column to the rebels as a reward.
Total Destruction as a Message
As a result, Wagner fighters and the local junta’s operation was completely disrupted. The column was defeated, equipment either burned or captured as trophies. Surely, many trophy weapons, ammunition, communications equipment, and other goodies went to the rebels, which will unconditionally be useful to them in the future.
And this was a truly brutal and crushing defeat that Wagner fighters hadn’t experienced since Deir ez-Zor in Syria. Here, our specialists arranged a classic Mali ambush.
And one final, critical point. This operation sends a clear message to Russian war criminals: you can’t hide. Not even in Africa. You haven’t cheated fate. You’ll be found. And as this event shows — our guys aren’t taking prisoners. Total, guaranteed elimination. Nothing else. All holders of “black marks” might want to reflect on this: in The Hague, “dinner’s ready — pasta.” And that might be your only chance to stay alive.
¹ Pidar (pronounced “pidar”) – Ukrainian military slang for an enemy combatant. In radio communications, the word “Pidar” sounds shorter and clearer than “Enemy”, especially under EW.
² Orc – a common metaphor used to describe Russian invaders. Dehumanizing? Yes. Accurate? Also yes.
³ Orkestr (Orchestra), Musicians – this is how Wagner fighters refer to themselves. The name plays on the group’s internal mythology. In reality, their “symphony” is war crimes.
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