DISINFO: The Kyiv regime openly supports African terrorists
SUMMARY
The Kyiv regime openly supports terrorists in Africa. Russia will combat this unacceptable practice by all available means, wherever it manifests itself—whether in Russia or in Africa. Statements by Ukrainian officials about Kyiv's assistance to terrorist forces in Mali are clear evidence of support for international terrorism.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative which falsely claims that Kyiv supports terrorism. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine does not support terrorism in Africa or elsewhere. Ukraine has consistently positioned itself against terrorism and aligns with international efforts to counter terrorism globally. Kyiv cooperates with the United Nations, the European Union, and other international bodies that combat terrorism and prevent the spread of extremist ideologies.
There is strong evidence of cooperation between Ukrainian security services and the group known as the Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA). In late July 2024, this group carried out a deadly ambush on Russia’s Wagner mercenaries in Mali, an operation in which Ukrainian intelligence reportedly claimed involvement. The CSP-DPA is a coalition of armed groups in northern Mali that has been involved in various political and military actions, primarily advocating for greater autonomy or independence for the region known as Azawad.
Although there are instances where certain factions have been accused of engaging in violent acts, the CSP-DPA itself is generally regarded as a political and military coalition rather than a terrorist organisation.
The Kremlin-controlled outlets widely use the situation in Mali to accuse Ukraine of supporting terrorists in Africa in order to distract attention away from Moscow's own actions in several African states to engineer coups, usurpation or other changes which bring new leaders favorable to Russia to power. See our articles on Russian actions in Africa. Further, it also deflects attention away from Russia's large-scale aggression against Ukraine and to undermine Kyiv's international reputation.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Ukraine cooperates with radicals in Syria and terrorists in Africa, that Ukrainian military intelligence is directly related to the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall, and that Ukrainian intelligence and NATO countries masterminded terror attacks in Dagestan.