Russia has accused Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbaiba, of cooperating with Ukraine to support militant operations across Africa’s Sahel region, according to Russia Today newspaper.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the allegations during a press briefing on Wednesday, claiming there is “growing evidence” that Kyiv is aiding terrorist groups in the Sahel and collaborating with the Tripoli-based government.
According to Zakharova, Libya’s security forces under the GNU have established “British-mediated cooperation with Ukrainian militants,” which allegedly involves the supply of attack drones and the organisation of joint training sessions supervised by instructors from Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence.
She further asserted that the cooperation extends to operational support for militant activity in several African countries, including Niger. “We have confirmed information that the Dbaiba government is facilitating coordination with Ukrainian operatives for destabilising missions in the Sahel,” Zakharova said.
The Russian official described these alleged operations as part of Kyiv’s broader effort to expand its military influence on the African continent amid its ongoing war with Moscow.
The Libyan GNU has not yet issued any public response to the accusations.
The Dbaiba government, which controls western Libya, has maintained ties with several Western nations, including the UK and Italy, while Russia continues to back military commander Khalifa Haftar in the east.
