The bodies of Wagner Group mercenaries who were killed during fighting in Mali this summer have been returned to Russia, according to a report by the state-run TASS news agency.

The fighters reportedly suffered heavy losses in a two-day battle against Tuareg rebels near the Algerian border in July, marking one of the deadliest engagements for the Wagner Group in its overseas operations. The bodies were retrieved during a joint operation by the Malian armed forces and their Russian allies on the night of September 30, 2024.

Alexander Ivanov, head of the Officer's Union for International Security, revealed to TASS that the repatriated soldiers would be buried with full honours, though he did not specify the number of fighters returned. At the time of the attack, which made international headlines, reports suggested that up to 80 Wagner fighters were killed. The group itself has not provided official casualty figures.

The repatriation was confirmed on the morning of October 10 by Wagner itself, on the Telegram messaging app.

"An operation was successfully completed to return the bodies of our brothers, who in July 2024 heroically took up the fight with Islamists many times outnumbered," Wagner said.

Wagner mercenaries have been supporting Mali's military in its fight against the Tuareg-led rebel group known as the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security, and Development (CSP-PSD). Russian fighters have played a critical role in the Malian government's efforts to counter insurgent movements in the region, often engaging in fierce combat alongside local forces. 

Wagner’s activities in Africa have long been seen as part of a broader Russian strategy to extend its influence on the continent. Following the death of Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in 2023, the Russian Defense Ministry took control of the group’s African operations, incorporating them into a larger military organization known as Africa Corps. Despite these changes in leadership, Wagner remains active in regions like Mali, continuing to play a central role in Russia’s foreign policy efforts in Africa.

On October 9, Ukrainian intelligence sources told the Kyiv Post that Malian government forces, likely aided by Wagner mercenaries, killed seven and injured three in a retaliatory strike in northern Mali. The incident is reported to have taken place on the night of October 5 in areas controlled by CSP-PSD.