Overview

• The US sanctioned the head of Russia's Wagner Group in Mali for using the country to acquire arms to send to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.
• Wagner has destabilized countries in Africa, committed human rights abuses, and taken natural resources.
• Wagner has supplied Sudan's Rapid Support Forces with surface-to-air missiles to fight Sudan's army, fueling conflict in the region.
• The sanctions are part of US efforts to counter Wagner activities funneling support to Russia's war in Ukraine.
• Wagner has falsified paperwork to ship military equipment from Mali to Ukraine.