Kathmandu— Aleksandr Efremov and Vasily Nagalev, two Russian soldiers captured in Mali in 2024, have recounted their ordeal after being released through negotiations involving the Russian Defense Ministry, Malian General Staff, and Libyan National Army forces. The servicemen were ambushed during a battle near the Algerian border while supporting a Malian military convoy alongside Wagner Group operatives, and subsequently held by militants from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM for 755 days. They described conditions marked by intense heat, constant shackling, inadequate food and water, and dwindling hope of rescue.

Years Spent in Isolation

Efremov and Nagalev spent over two years isolated from civilization, tracking the passage of time solely by observing sunrises and sunsets. They described a stark contrast between cinematic portrayals of captivity and their own reality, noting the impossibility of escape given their location within the vast Sahara Desert. “In movies, you can usually escape, but here there’s nowhere to run because there’s nothing but Sahara everywhere,” Aleksandr Efremov explained, characterizing their experience as simply “Sahara and chains.”

Deteriorating Conditions and Fading Hope

The soldiers endured constant physical hardship, including being perpetually shackled while exposed to extreme heat. Their diet consisted of poor-quality food and barely potable water, severely impacting their health. After approximately one year in captivity, the men began to lose hope of rescue. “There was hope for about the first year, but by the second year, it didn’t matter anymore whether we’d be released or not,” Efremov recalled. He added that at times they felt desperate enough to beg for their lives to be ended.

Medical Assessment and Future Plans

Following their release and transfer to Libya, a Russian medical specialist assessed the soldiers' condition, finding significant damage to their internal organs due to malnutrition and dehydration. “They have problems with their intestines, liver, and other organs,” the doctor stated, noting that they were working to restore the men’s health. Both Efremov and Nagalev are currently in stable condition and expected to return to Russia within a week or two once fully stabilized. Remarkably, both soldiers expressed their intention to rejoin the Russian military and participate in operations in Ukraine.

External Support for Militant Groups

The freed soldiers indicated that their captors were well-equipped and financially supported. Vasily Nagalev stated, “They certainly receive money because they have everything,” while Aleksandr Efremov added, “They have money, equipment, weapons. They have it all. And in large quantities.” This observation aligns with Moscow’s repeated accusations of foreign interference aimed at destabilizing the Sahel region and disrupting Russia's relationships with local nations by aiding extremist groups.

The release of Efremov and Nagalev follows recent successes for Malian and Russian forces against FLA and JNIM, including the recapture of Anefis in July and the repelling of an attack on a base in San in August. The Russia’s Africa Corps has taken over security roles previously held by the Wagner Group.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.