Two expatraites working for a Russian geological exploration company were freed in Mali following a military operation, the Africa Corps announced on Tuesday in a post shared on its Telegram channel.
The Russian paramilitary group states in the post, seen by APA, that its units carried out a “special operation” which enabled the rescue of the two men, who were kidnapped in July 2024 in Niger by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an organisation affiliated with Al-Qaeda and active in the Sahel region.
According to the same source, the hostages – identified as Oleg Greta, a Russian citizen born in 1962, and Yuri Yourov, a Ukrainian citizen born in 1970 – spent nearly two years in captivity.
In a video accompanying the post, one of the former hostages explains that they were carrying out geological work for a Russian company in Africa and describes the intense emotion felt at the moment of their release, saying they had “finally seen their loved ones” after a long period of captivity.
He highlights the swift and “highly professional” nature of the operation, stating that they were rescued “in less than an hour”.
He adds that they will be evacuated to Russia to recover before considering a return to their work, noting that their duties are primarily focused on the African continent.
The account also mentions the lack of assistance at the time of their abduction, stating that
only the military personnel involved facilitated their release.
Africa Corps states that the two men are currently on board a Russian Aerospace Forces military transport aircraft, without providing further details on the precise circumstances of the operation or its exact location.
Presented as Russia’s new operational arm in Africa, Africa Corps is part of the ongoing redeployment of Russian forces on the continent following the decline of the Wagner Group.
Operating under the more direct supervision of the Russian Ministry of Defence, this corps is
active in Mali alongside local armed forces, with missions focused on training, operational support and securing strategic sites.
Its deployment reflects Moscow’s desire to consolidate its security influence in Africa, building on strengthened bilateral partnerships against a backdrop of shifting alliances in the Sahel.
AC/fss/as/APA