Russia's Wagner Group abused civilians in secret prisons in Mali, investigation finds
The investigation found that mercenaries with Russia's Wagner Group, working alongside Malian government forces, had systematically abducted and detained civilians, holding them in prisons at former United Nations bases and military bases across Mali.
Drawing on eyewitness accounts and satellite imagery, the investigation identified six detention centers where Wagner held civilians between 2022 and 2024. The total number of Wagner detention centers in Mali is likely to be much higher.
Prisoners were subjected to systematic torture – including beatings, waterboarding, electric shocks, starvation, and confinement in sweltering metal containers.
The investigation was carried out as part of the Viktoriia project, in memory of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was captured by Russian forces in 2023 while investigating the illegal detention of civilians in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. She was killed in Russian captivity in 2024.
The Russian mercenary group, known for its deployment in Ukraine and short-lived rebellion against the Kremlin in 2023, has a strong presence across the African continent, backing Russian business interests and Moscow-friendly regimes.
The mercenaries have been particularly active in Mali since late 2021 and have been accused of perpetrating war crimes. In December 2024, Human Rights Watch accused Wagner mercenaries and Malian government forces of deliberately killing 32 civilians.
The Wagner Group recently announced its withdrawal from Mali, where it fought alongside Malian government forces to fend off Islamist insurgents. Wagner has been active across the African continent for years and has been previously accused of committing human rights abuses.
Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes targets in Russia, including gunpowder plant
We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
13 minutes ago
Russia launches 136 drones into Ukraine ahead of expected Trump announcement
BUDAPEST -- Russia launched four missiles and 136 drones into Ukraine overnight into Monday morning, according to Ukraine's air force, after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would provide Kyiv with more Patriot surface-to-air systems to help defend against Russia's nightly bombardments. Ukraine's air force said in a post to Telegram that 108 drones were shot down or otherwise neutralized during the latest attack, with 28 drones impacting in 10 locations. Falling debris from downed drones was reported in four locations, the air force said. Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its forces downed 11 Ukrainian drones overnight into Monday morning. Russian President Vladimir Putin is continuing the long-range bombardment of Ukrainian cities despite criticism from Trump, whose months-long push for a ceasefire and eventual peace deal has thus far failed to achieve a breakthrough. Ahead of an expected announcement on his Ukraine-Russia policy on Monday, Trump said Sunday that the U.S. would provide more "sophisticated" equipment to aid Kyiv in its defense against Russian attacks. Trump is also expected to meet with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Washington, D.C., on Monday. "We basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military equipment," Trump told reporters on Sunday. "They're going to pay us 100% for them, and that's the way we want it," Trump said. Asked if he would still send 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine -- as announced last week -- the president said the number has not been finalized but that Kyiv would be receiving more aid. "I haven't agreed on the number yet, but they're going to have some because they do need protection," he said. "But the European Union is paying for it," Trump added. "We're not paying anything for it, but we will send it. It will be business for us, and we will send them Patriots, which they desperately need, because Putin really surprised a lot of people." "He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening. There's a little bit of a problem there," Trump continued. Trump declined to say whether he would be announcing new sanctions on Russia on Monday. Sen. Lindsey Graham told ABC News last week that Trump is "ready" to act on a sweeping Senate bill that would impose tariffs of up to 500% on countries that buy oil and gas from Russia. Trump, Graham said Wednesday, is "trying to get Putin to the table, but Putin's not responding." The legislation will include a waiver allowing Trump to lift sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil or uranium for 180 days, Graham said. Meanwhile, Trump's Russia-Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg arrived in Kyiv on Monday. Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, welcomed Kellogg in a post to Telegram. "Peace through strength is the principle of U.S. President Donald Trump, and we support this approach," he said.
38 minutes ago
Trump envoy arrives in Kyiv as US pledges Patriot missiles to Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine -- U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, arrived in Kyiv on Monday, a senior Ukrainian official said, as anticipation grew over possible changes in the Trump administration's policies on the more than three-year war. Trump last week teased that he would make a 'major statement' on Russia on Monday. Trump made quickly stopping the war one of his diplomatic priorities, and he has increasingly expressed frustration about Russian President Vladimir Putin's unbudging stance. Putin "talks nice and then he bombs everybody,' Trump said late Sunday, as he confirmed the U.S. is sending Ukraine badly needed U.S.-made Patriot air defense missiles to help it fend off Russia's intensifying aerial attacks. A top ally of Trump, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said Sunday that the conflict is nearing an inflection point as Trump shows growing interest in helping Ukraine fight back against Russia's full-scale invasion. It's a cause that Trump had previously dismissed as being a waste of U.S. taxpayer money. Also, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was due in Washington on Monday and Tuesday. He planned to hold talks with Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as well as members of Congress. Talks during Kellogg's visit to Kyiv will cover 'defense, strengthening security, weapons, sanctions, protection of our people and enhancing cooperation between Ukraine and the United States,' said the head of Ukraine's presidential office, Andrii Yermak. 'Russia does not want a cease fire. Peace through strength is President Donald Trump's principle, and we support this approach,' Yermak said.
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Trump envoy arrives in Kyiv as US pledges Patriot missiles to Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, arrived in Kyiv on Monday, a senior Ukrainian official said, as anticipation grew over possible changes in the Trump administration's policies on the more than three-year war. Trump last week teased that he would make a 'major statement' on Russia on Monday. Trump made quickly stopping the war one of his diplomatic priorities, and he has increasingly expressed frustration about Russian President Vladimir Putin's unbudging stance . Putin 'talks nice and then he bombs everybody,' Trump said late Sunday, as he confirmed the U.S. is sending Ukraine badly needed U.S.-made Patriot air defense missiles to help it fend off Russia's intensifying aerial attacks. A top ally of Trump, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said Sunday that the conflict is nearing an inflection point as Trump shows growing interest in helping Ukraine fight back against Russia's full-scale invasion. It's a cause that Trump had previously dismissed as being a waste of U.S. taxpayer money. Also, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was due in Washington on Monday and Tuesday. He planned to hold talks with Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as well as members of Congress. Talks during Kellogg's visit to Kyiv will cover 'defense, strengthening security, weapons, sanctions, protection of our people and enhancing cooperation between Ukraine and the United States,' said the head of Ukraine's presidential office, Andrii Yermak. 'Russia does not want a cease fire. Peace through strength is President Donald Trump's principle, and we support this approach,' Yermak said. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
