An unfolding diplomatic tour across East Africa has escalated into a fresh rhetorical clash between Moscow and Kiev. On July 10, during a press conference in Bujumbura alongside Burundian counterpart Édouard Bizimana, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov alleged that Ukrainian nationals were aiding the M23 rebel faction in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The accusation, made without concrete evidence, was swiftly dismissed by Ukraine the following day.
The M23, a UN-sanctioned armed group that has controlled vast territories in North-Kivu and South-Kivu since capturing Goma in January 2025, is widely reported to receive logistical support from the Rwandan Defence Forces. Lavrov’s claims suggest a broader foreign presence in the conflict, though no specifics were provided to substantiate the involvement of Ukrainian operatives.
Unfounded allegations spark sharp denial from Kiev
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Heorhii Tykhyi, branded Lavrov’s remarks as baseless disinformation, countering that Russia itself has been arming non-state actors in violation of international sanctions. Tykhyi further accused Moscow of recruiting fighters from African nations to bolster its war effort in Ukraine, framing the move as an attempt to undermine U.S.-led mediation efforts in the Great Lakes region.
Past incidents in Mali cast doubt on Ukraine’s credibility
Late last year, a joint column of Wagner Group mercenaries and Malian soldiers was ambushed by Tuareg rebels and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) in northern Mali. Rebel forces claimed dozens of casualties on both sides. Days later, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Andriy Yusov, asserted on national television that his agency had provided the attackers with critical intelligence. Kiev later retracted the claim, failing to ease tensions with Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou. By August 2024, Mali and Niger had severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, with Burkina Faso following suit. Bamako has since escalated the matter before the UN Security Council.
Sudan conflict mirrors recurring pattern of unverified claims
The civil war between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has also seen similar narratives emerge. Reports from late 2023 suggested the presence of a Ukrainian special unit named “Timur,” though Kiev neither confirmed nor denied its involvement. Videos allegedly linked to this unit surfaced in January 2024, showing drone strikes targeting fighters identified as Russian mercenaries and their local allies. By October 2025, Sudanese military officials reported the deaths of foreign fighters, including Colombians and Ukrainians, who had reportedly joined the RSF during clashes in El Fasher.
The recurring pattern—where Ukrainian denials follow unverified claims—has left its credibility in question. In Mali, an official spokesperson initially took credit before retracting; in Sudan, ambiguity persists without resolution. As for the M23 in the DRC, no Ukrainian source, official or otherwise, has substantiated Lavrov’s allegations. The Congolese conflict remains undocumented in this regard, while Lavrov continues his African tour ahead of the third Russia-Africa Summit scheduled for October 28–29 in Moscow.
