Diplomatic tensions rise as Russia accuses Ukraine of backing congolese rebels

Diplomatic tour sparks fresh accusations between Moscow and Kiev

A recent diplomatic tour through East Africa has reignited rhetorical clashes between Russia and Ukraine. On July 10, during a joint press conference with Burundi‘s foreign minister Édouard Bizimana in Bujumbura, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov alleged that Ukrainian nationals were supporting the M23 rebel group in Democratic Republic of the Congo, alongside Congolese forces and Burundi. Kyiv swiftly dismissed these claims the following day.

Unsubstantiated allegations raise questions

Speaking after a meeting with Burundi‘s president Évariste Ndayishimiye—currently serving as African Union chairperson—Lavrov claimed the M23 was backed by “foreign representatives, including Ukrainians,” without providing evidence or further details. The M23, a UN-sanctioned armed group, has controlled significant portions of North Kivu and South Kivu since capturing Goma in January 2025. UN expert reports consistently document its supply lines through Rwandan defense forces.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry’s spokesperson, Heorhii Tykhyi, dismissed Lavrov’s remarks as baseless disinformation. He countered by accusing Russia of illegally arming rebel factions and recruiting fighters from African nations to fight in Ukraine. Tykhyi suggested Moscow aims to undermine American mediation efforts in the Great Lakes region.

Past controversies weaken Ukraine’s credibility

In late July 2024, a convoy of Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers fell into an ambush set 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. On July 29, the Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson, Andriï Yusov, stated in an interview that the attackers had received “all necessary intelligence” from Ukrainian services. Kyiv later retracted these claims, failing to ease tensions with Bamako and Niamey. By August 2024, Mali and Niger severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, with Burkina Faso following suit. Bamako has since escalated the matter at the UN Security Council.

Parallels drawn with Sudan’s conflict

The ongoing civil war in Sudan—pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces against the Rapid Support Forces—has seen similar narratives emerge. By late 2023, reports surfaced about a Ukrainian military intelligence unit codenamed “Timur,” though Kyiv neither confirmed nor denied its existence. Videos allegedly linked to this group surfaced in January 2024, showing drone strikes on fighters identified as Russian mercenaries and their local allies. By October 2025, the Sudanese Army reported killing foreign fighters, including Colombians and Ukrainians, who had joined the RSF in battles near El Fasher.

These incidents cast doubt on Ukraine’s denial regarding its alleged involvement in DR Congo. In Mali, an official spokesperson initially took credit before retracting the statement. In Sudan, ambiguity persists without resolution. For the M23, no Ukrainian source—official or unofficial—has yet substantiated Lavrov’s claims. The Congolese dossier remains unverified, while Lavrov continues his diplomatic tour ahead of the third Russia-Africa Summit scheduled for October 28-29 in Moscow.