Saddam Haftar pays ransom to free 2 Russians held by Azawad Groups in Mali

Azawad groups in Mali have released two Russian servicemen from the Wagner mercenary group who had been held since July 2024, following a deal brokered by Saddam Haftar.

Sources said Saddam Haftar paid a ransom in exchange for the Russians’ release. They were subsequently transferred to Libya, arriving in Benghazi ahead of their handover to the Russian authorities.

Haftar-affiliated media portrayed the operation as a special security mission, saying information obtained from an individual arrested during the operation to free American hostage Kevin Rideout helped locate the two Russians and secure their release.

The Russians’ release comes days after Rideout was freed from captivity by a group linked to Islamic State in the Sahel. Sources told Reuters that the Libyan side paid a ransom as part of that deal, while Haftar’s forces said he had been freed in a security operation.