Field sources have confirmed that several members of the Russian Africa Corps were killed and wounded during clashes near the village of Hadj Weri, north of Niono in Ségou Region, central Mali.
According to the sources, the incident occurred after an Africa Corps patrol came under attack while advancing through the area, resulting in an unspecified number of fatalities and injuries.
The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) later claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement released by its media outlet Az-Zallaqa, saying its fighters had repelled the patrol and inflicted human and material losses.
There has been no official comment from the Malian Armed Forces or the Russian Africa Corps.
The incident comes amid continuing clashes between Malian government forces, backed by Russian personnel, and armed groups operating across central and northern Mali.
