Moscow announced Tuesday that its military forces in Africa successfully rescued two hostages who had been held captive by terrorists in West Africa since July 2024.
According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the Africa Corps liberated Russian national Oleg Gret and Ukrainian national Yuri Yurov during a military operation conducted in Mali. Both men had been working for a Russian geological exploration firm when they were kidnapped in Niger by Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a terrorist organization linked to al-Qaeda.
“As a result of a special operation conducted by the Africa Corps in the Republic of Mali, employees of a Russian geological exploration company captured in July 2024 in Niger by the terrorist group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin were freed,” the ministry announced in an official statement.
The two captives had previously been featured in propaganda videos distributed through media channels associated with JNIM, an armed militant organization that maintains control over extensive territories throughout the Sahel region of Africa.
This kidnapping incident represented a significant challenge for Russia’s expanding influence in West Africa, where Moscow has successfully replaced Western allies in recent years. Russia has taken advantage of increasing anti-French sentiment in the region, as France was the former colonial authority, while also capitalizing on rising security concerns from militant attacks.
The Africa Corps, which now handles Russia’s military activities across the African continent, has taken over operations previously managed by the Wagner Group mercenary organization, which was under state control.
Defense officials stated that both rescued individuals will be flown to Moscow aboard Russian military aircraft to receive medical care and undergo rehabilitation following their ordeal.
