Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has rejected accusations of its involvement in supplying drones to Malian rebels, calling the claims unfounded.

The denial, published on October 14, followed a report from the French newspaper Le Monde that alleged that Tuareg fighters from the anti-government Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) were using Ukrainian drones against Malian government forces and their Wagner Group allies.

The Ukrainian government claims that it has played no role in the ongoing conflict in Mali.

“Ukraine strongly rejects the accusations that have recently been released by the international media outlets about the alleged involvement of our state in the supply of UAVs to the rebels in Mali,” Kyiv’s statement said.

According to Le Monde, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) has reportedly been collaborating with Malian rebels since early 2024, with Ukrainian specialists providing training in the Sahel region.

The first allegations of Ukrainian involvement in Mali emerged after reports of heavy losses sustained by Russian Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers during engagements with Tuareg rebels in late July. At least 84 Russia-backed fighters and 47 Malian soldiers were reportedly killed following several days of clashes with Tuareg separatist rebels and al-Qaeda-linked militants in Tinzaouten, northern Mali.

Following the attack, Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence, stated that the rebels had "received necessary information" that facilitated their successful operations against Russian forces. However, the Malian government interpreted this statement as an admission of Ukrainian support, leading them to sever diplomatic relations with Kyiv.

In the same statement, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also denied any involvement in arms supplies or cooperation with terrorists, stating that these claims were fuelled by Russian disinformation.