Russia’s army says its Africa Corps unit has freed two hostages—employees of a Russian geology company—who were held in Mali for nearly two years after being abducted by a jihadist group in neighbouring Niger.
The men were reportedly taken in August 2024 by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), also known as JNIM, in the Mbanga area of southwest Niger, near the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali.
Russian authorities said the hostages were seized the month before and later appeared in a video released by the militant group.
According to Russia’s defence ministry, the two freed individuals are Oleg Greta, a Russian citizen born in 1962, and Yuri Yurov, a Ukrainian born in 1970. They were released in what Moscow described as a “special operation” conducted by the Africa Corps in Mali.
“An initial medical examination by Russian doctors at the Africa Corps hospital revealed that they suffer from numerous medical conditions and severe physical exhaustion,” the ministry said in a social media statement, adding that both men are now receiving medical care.
The ministry also released footage showing the two men seated in a subdued state, with one leaning against a pillow under a blanket.
The Africa Corps has increasingly taken over operations previously carried out by the Russian mercenary group Wagner in parts of Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, where it has supported local military governments battling Islamist insurgencies.
Mbanga, where the abduction occurred, lies in Niger’s Tillaberi region, an area known for recurring militant activity and proximity to gold mining operations.
Hostage-taking incidents have become more frequent in the region over the past several years amid ongoing insecurity.
Russia has expanded its military and political presence across several Sahel countries in recent years, deploying instructors and paramilitary personnel to support junta-led governments.
The move comes as Moscow continues to broaden its influence in Africa while maintaining its military campaign in Ukraine.
