Two foreign nationals abducted in Niger in 2024 have been freed following a military operation carried out in Mali, according to a statement by Africa Corps.
The group announced via Telegram that its forces conducted a “special operation” to rescue the hostages—identified as Oleg Greta and Yuri Yourov—who had been kidnapped in July 2024 by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group active in the Sahel.
The two men, who were working for a Russian geological prospecting company, reportedly spent nearly two years in captivity before their release.
In a video accompanying the announcement, one of the former hostages described the operation as swift and highly professional, stating they were extracted in less than an hour and expressed relief at reuniting with loved ones.
Africa Corps indicated that the men are currently being transported aboard a military aircraft for evacuation to Russia. The operation highlights the expanding role of Africa Corps—seen as a successor to the Wagner Group—which operates in Mali under the supervision of the Russian Ministry of Defense, supporting local forces in security operations.
The development underscores Moscow’s growing military footprint in the Sahel amid shifting regional alliances and ongoing security challenges.
