1/7 How a Russian woman’s mistake exposed #Russia and #China’s cooperation in the African gold mining sector. Thinking she was talking with a #Wagner representative, Anastasia gave away confidential information about a Chinese operated mine in Mali. 2/7 Anastasia accidentally contacted us, thinking we were #Wagner officials, to hire mercenaries for a gold mine in #Mali. In her emails, she gave us details about the mine and what kind of security service she needed.

🧵1/7 Arrival of Russian military vehicles in #Mali – publicity stunt or real threat?

On January 18, a convoy of heavy military vehicles, including T-72s, various BTRs and lighter vehicles, was spotted in Bamako. We explain why this could become a disaster for the #AfricaCorps👇 2/7 The delivery of such heavy equipment, unsuitable for the #Sahel, raises questions. The T-72, for example, is a heavy tank designed for conventional war. Due to its limited maneuverability on rough and sandy terrain, it will have limited utility in a desert-like environment...

1/4 Overview of Wagner's recent activity:

Mining in #CAR:

First of all, according to local sources, #Wagner appears to have taken control of the #Irdere mine site, and significantly intensified the mine's activity.

Satellite images could confirm it. 2/4 Wagner is firmly established in the country's mining sector since at least 2017. It has not ceased to lay its hands on the local gold mines, controlling more than 80% of them.

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🧵1/9 According to the Russian media African Initiative, #Russia has been flooding Africa with weapons with the help of #Wagner & #AfricaCorps. While very profitable for Moscow, it’s a costly investment for African states, which are often trapped in a deal they can’t get out of👇 2/9 Although Russian arms exports collapsed worldwide, Moscow is still trying to find new commercial partners. The war in #Ukraine and Western sanctions are the main reason for this collapse, but reliability problems of Russian equipment is also to blame for this trend.

🧵#Wagner in #Mali – End of an era?

1/7 Wagner supposedly retrieved the bodies of their comrades in #Tinzawaten. This might be the last chapter of their saga in Mali. Indeed, their relations with the @DirpaFa have deteriorated and the #AfricaCorps should replace them soon.👇 2/7 #Wagner claims that the operation was a success and that they managed to retrieve about 60 bodies of their fallen fighters, as well as Malian soldiers. They also claim that the operation was delayed for so long due to a lack of support from the Malian military.

1/10 How #Wagner’s crushing defeat in #Mali could shape the future of #Russia’s presence in #Africa👇

This weekend, Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers were ambushed by #Azawad soldiers in the northern Mali, near the Algerian border. Around 80 Russian mercenaries were killed. 2/10 #Wagner lost several vehicles and a MI-24 helicopter. According to several sources, famous Wagner mercenaries such as Anton Elizarov (who led Wagner’s assault on Bakhmut) and Nikita Fedyanin (Admin of the TG channel GreyZone) were supposedly killed.

1/n🧵 Foreign fighters of the #RussianArmy - long thread!

The presence of fighters from all over the world is the result of massive deceitful recruitment campaigns run by #Russia, promising "risk-free work and easy money" to desperate populations. #UkraineRussiaWar

2/n The #RussianArmy communicates via social media to recruit these foreigners, with the help of "influencers" paid off by #Moscow. These proxies promise attractive salaries and "an easy job in non-combat roles" to their audience.

🧵 1/7 Takeover of the #Intahaka mine by #Wagner and the @FAMa_DIRPA on February 10, 2024 - Behind the scenes of an internal power struggle 👇 2/7 The Intahaka mine is located around 50km west of #Gao. It was previously controlled by the Groupe d'Autodéfense des Touaregs Imghads et Alliés (GATIA). The GATIA is led by General Ag Gamou, a Tuareg loyal to the Malian government.

1/7 🧵 #Wagner's aggressive media campaign in #Africa:
Dmitry Sytyi, head of the "Russian House" (maison russe) in Bangui, claimed that #Russia has been providing humanitarian support to 20 African states in July alone. 2/7 "Thanks to the policy of the Russian Federation and the Russian Houses and their network of volunteers in African countries, we managed to distribute humanitarian aid to needy people in 20 African countries in July alone." Sytyi explains in French.

1/ Summary of a communication war or maybe even a well-oiled game...
Is there really a discord or maybe is there a strategy? 2/ On May 5, the leader of Russia's #Wagner mercenary group says he will withdraw his troops from the Ukrainian city of #Bakhmut on 10 May because of ammunition shortages. Direct attack on the minister #Shoigu.