Speaking with the BBC, Ahmed, a shopkeeper who has since fled Mali, recounted his brutal experience with Wagner forces in Nampala in August 2024. Accused of harboring connections with jihadists, Ahmed was detained, tortured through waterboarding and beatings, and repeatedly interrogated about his boss’s whereabouts. After enduring the torture, Ahmed was placed in a toilet block with other locals and subsequently taken back for another round of interrogation where he was threatened with beheading. Ultimately, he was left in a kitchen with two other men who had also been detained.
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Hide restaurant, a luxurious establishment in London, became the target of a “Russian-ordered” plot involving a kidnapping and arson, according to investigators. Authorities arrested a group of young British men connected to the Wagner mercenary group, who were also found guilty of an arson attack on a Ukraine-linked warehouse. These incidents are part of a broader campaign of sabotage across Europe, with Russia utilizing proxies recruited online to carry out attacks and sow distrust. These operations are seen by experts as a form of psychological warfare, designed to undermine European support for Ukraine and destabilize societies.
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The trial revealed that Earl, convicted under the National Security Act, planned multiple “missions” beyond a warehouse fire, including arson attacks and the kidnapping of a Russian dissident. Evidence from Earl’s phone showed reconnaissance and discussions about using explosives in these planned attacks. The targeted individual, Evgeny Chichvarkin, a vocal critic of the Russian government, owned businesses valued at over £30 million. Additionally, Ashton Evans was found guilty of failing to disclose information, while Dmitrijus Paulauskas was acquitted of similar charges.
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The Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary force, has declared its withdrawal from Mali after more than three years of operations against Islamist militants. This departure, however, does not signal a complete Russian military exit; the state-controlled Africa Corps will maintain a presence in the country. While Wagner claims mission accomplishment, the transition appears linked to internal disputes and recent battlefield losses suffered against JNIM, an al-Qaeda linked group. The shift may also reflect a strategic repositioning by Russia, with the Africa Corps emphasizing training and logistical support over direct combat.
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Russia’s Wagner mercenary group announced its departure from Mali, declaring their mission accomplished. This seemingly straightforward statement, however, is shrouded in a cloud of ambiguity and conflicting interpretations. While the group proclaims success, numerous accounts suggest a different narrative altogether.
The claim of a successful mission raises immediate questions. What, precisely, constituted this mission’s objectives and how were they achieved? The lack of transparency surrounding Wagner’s activities in Mali makes evaluating this claim incredibly difficult. Were the stated goals primarily focused on providing military training and support to the Malian government, or did they involve more extensive combat operations? Did they achieve their aims, or were they pushed out due to mounting pressure and setbacks?… Continue reading
Following a European leaders’ summit in London, Canada announced sanctions against 10 Russian individuals and 21 entities, including paramilitary groups and those involved in resource extraction. These sanctions target leaders of post-Wagner organizations and other key figures operating in Ukraine and Africa. This brings Canada’s total sanctions against Russia to over 3,000 individuals and entities. The announcement reaffirms Canada’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine. These actions are part of a broader international effort to pressure Russia to end its aggression.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood