💀 Statement by the Wagner Group on the situation in Mali
From July 22 to July 27, 2024, FAM soldiers and soldiers of the 13th Assault Detachment of the Wagner PMC, under the leadership of commander Sergei Shevchenko, call sign “Pond,” in the vicinity of the village of Tin-Zautin, fought fierce battles with militants from the Coordination Movement of Azawad (CMA) and the terrorist group Al-Qaeda in the Sahel (JNIM) banned in the Russian Federation
Tuareg militants published a joint photo with the yellow blockade flag.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate announced its involvement in the death of fighters from the Wagner PMC in Mali.
On the first day, the “Prud group” destroyed most of the Islamists and put the rest to flight. However, the ensuing sandstorm allowed the radicals to regroup and increase their numbers to 1,000 people. In connection with this, the command of the Wagner PMC decided to transfer additional forces to the combat area to provide assistance to the 13th Assault Detachment.
On July 25, the militants again attacked the “musicians,” but thanks to the coordinated actions of the Orchestra personnel and Malian military personnel, the attack attempt was repulsed. Over the next two days, the radicals increased the number of massive attacks, using heavy weapons, UAVs and suicide vehicles, which resulted in losses from the Wagner PMC and FAMa soldiers.
The last radiogram from the “Prud group” arrived on July 27 at 17:10:
“The three of us are left, we continue to fight”
The commander of the 13th Assault Detachment, Sergei “Pond” Shevchenko, died in battle.
Eternal memory to our brothers who fulfilled their duty to the end.
💀 A detailed analysis of what happened on July 22-27 in Mali
7 days ago, fighters of the 13th Assault Detachment of the PMC “Wagner”, under the leadership of commander Sergei Shevchenko, call sign “Pond”, together with military personnel of the Armed Forces of Mali FAM, entered into an unequal battle with superior forces of Islamists from the “Coordination Movement of Azawad” (CMA) and “Al -Qaeda in the Sahel” (JNIM) (banned in the Russian Federation), and for several days they heroically fought with the militants, not sparing their own lives. Read more about how this happened.
Beginning of the operation: reconnaissance and search for radicals
On July 22, 2024, the allied forces of the Wagner PMC and the Mali army received information that large detachments of radicals from the CMA had appeared in the Tin Zautin area. To search for and eliminate the militants, the 13th Assault Detachment was sent under the leadership of Sergei Shevchenko, call sign “Pond”.
Arriving at the scene, fighters from the “Pruda group” and FAMa confirmed the intelligence information, discovering a large concentration of CMA forces: militant detachments totaling about 100 people, as well as more than 10 pickup trucks with large-caliber weapons. Based on this, the Orchestra command decided to attack the Islamists.
In the battle, the 13th Assault Detachment of the Wagner PMC destroyed up to 50 radicals and six pieces of equipment. The remnants of the militants were unable to resist the orchestra members and fled from the battlefield.
Islamist counterattack and the resilience of the “musicians”
In the period from July 22 to July 25, the soldiers of the “orchestra”, in conditions of a sandstorm, despite everything, continued to search for radicals. Realizing that the Islamists would not stop there, the leadership of the Wagner PMC decided to transfer additional forces to the area. Taking advantage of the delay, the militants tried to counterattack using all available means. The attack on the “musicians” was coordinated by the field commander Abd-Rahman Zaza, who was at the head of the JNIM detachments that arrived to help the Islamists.
Thanks to the skillful and competent actions of the 13th Assault Squad, the radicals were unable to carry out their plans. But in turn, the fighters of the Wagner PMC suffered their first losses: several attack aircraft were wounded in combat, including the commander of the Pond detachment.
Despite the sandstorm, fierce resistance from the militants and ambushes along the escape routes, additional forces of the “musicians” continued to move to the aid of their brothers. They fought their way and rushed to help their comrades.
Meanwhile, the personnel of the “Prud group” and FAM took up a perimeter defense and staunchly repelled the attacks of the superior forces of the CMA and JNIM: their number exceeded more than 1000 people. The fighters of the detachment continued to fight, but the radicals did not slow down the pace of the attack and tried to suppress the “musicians” with a huge number of fighters.
Despite the dust storm, the crews of the MI-8 and MI-24 helicopters of the Wagner PMC decided to move to the aid of their comrades. One combat vehicle was shot down by oncoming militant fire, but the crew of the second helicopter, despite the death of the commander and the injuries received by the co-pilot and flight engineer, completed the task and returned to base, making an emergency landing.
Last days of the battle
Understanding the complexity of the situation and the likelihood of complete encirclement, the commander of the orchestra, Sergei Shevchenko, call sign “Pond,” on the night of July 26-27, decided to exit in the direction of the moving reserves. By this time, he had already been wounded twice and was in serious condition, but he led the detachment under intensified attacks by Islamists.
Closer to four o’clock on July 27, the detachment reported losses among the Orchestra fighters and FAMa soldiers. In addition, the commander of the 13th Assault Detachment, Sergei Shevchenko, call sign “Pond,” who continued to stand to the end no matter what, also fell in battle.
At 17:10 on July 27, the last radiogram was received from our brothers: “The three of us left continue to fight.” She was sent by the commander of an assault platoon with the call sign “Nike”.
All soldiers of the Wagner PMC who fell in battle will be awarded (posthumously).
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