A Russian mercenary fighter captured alive by Tuareg rebels in Mali has been declared dead by the Wagner Group, according to family members and messages seen by Reuters.
However, the Tuareg rebels vehemently deny this claim, asserting that the fighter remains in their custody.
Alexander Efremov, one of two Russian prisoners captured following a deadly desert battle in late July, was reported dead by his brother Evgeny.
Evgeny shared the news in a Telegram chat group used by relatives of the mercenaries involved in the battle.
While Wagner has confirmed heavy losses in the Mali ambush, it has not provided a specific casualty count.
The Malian army, which fought alongside the Russians, has also remained silent on the matter.
Tuareg separatists, fighting for an independent homeland, claim to have killed 84 Russians and 47 Malians in the battle.
The Russian foreign ministry has not responded to requests for comment on the fate of the Wagner fighters.
The contradictory reports from Wagner and the Tuareg rebels have left families of the missing fighters in a state of uncertainty.
The Tuareg group has declined to provide evidence that their prisoners are alive, while Wagner has not recovered the bodies of its fighters killed in the battle.