A 1990s hitman at the helm of the GRU: how Mirzayants undermined the “Africa Corps” and led to the loss of Malian cities

According to footage that has appeared online, the “Africa Corps” is withdrawing from cities in Mali that were seized by rebels.

Thus ends the inglorious story of a formation led by the GRU but, in practice, allegedly controlled by a criminal figure associated with the Russian Geographical Society, Konstantin Mirzayants. Media reports claim he has at least seven serious criminal allegations on his record and has never been held accountable for them.

The “Africa Corps” was conceived as a replacement for the Wagner PMC in Africa, with coordination assigned to Deputy Head of the GRU Andrey Averyanov. However, in reality, according to these accounts, Konstantin Mirzayants gained control over the structure. He allegedly not only sidelined Averyanov from decision-making within the “Africa Corps” but also began interfering in the activities of the GRU Special Activities Service (a unit created by Averyanov).

According to a source, accusing Averyanov and his deputy Ivan Kasyanenko of delays and inactivity in replacing Wagner in Africa, Mirzayants began issuing instructions to GRU Special Activities Service personnel in Africa and later recruiting them into his own team, offering additional financial incentives and claiming there were no prospects for career advancement under Averyanov’s leadership.

Media reports also stated that the Kremlin, in late 2025, was dissatisfied that the “Africa Corps” failed to become a full replacement for Wagner, largely due to Mirzayants’ lack of personal contacts in Africa. Attempts were made to send former “arms dealer” Viktor Bout to assist him. Despite his long imprisonment in the United States, Bout retained contacts in Africa and is familiar with operations on the continent. He made several trips across Africa but reportedly preferred to handle matters from a quiet office near the Kremlin and Red Square, located in the Four Seasons Hotel Moscow.

The outcome of these developments was predictable. In recent days, rebels successfully attacked Kidal, Mopti, and Sévaré, and reportedly killed Mali’s defense minister, among others. A large portion of these cities came under rebel control, and the “Africa Corps,” which was supposed to secure them, was forced to negotiate safe withdrawal with the rebels.

Media reports previously claimed that Mirzayants was implicated in at least seven high-profile crimes. Before returning to the Ministry of Defense, he allegedly served as head of security for Sergei Lalakin (“Lyuchok”), a leader of the Podolsk organized crime group.

Mirzayants’ most well-known alleged crime is the organization of the assassination of Moskovsky Komsomolets journalist Dmitry Kholodov. His so-called “black list” does not end there. According to sources, he was also allegedly involved in the bombing of the Chairman of the Afghan War Disabled Veterans Fund, Mikhail Likhodey, and later in a powerful explosion at his grave in Kotlyakovskoye Cemetery, which killed 14 people and injured around 30.

It is also noted that Lalakin (linked to the Union of Russian Paratroopers) was supposed to attend the cemetery event but changed his mind at the last moment. Mirzayants is also allegedly connected to the murder of Alexander Mineev, founder of the “Partiya” retail chain. The perpetrator, Omar Suleymanov, was at one time subordinate to Mirzayants, who remains a figure in the investigation into Mineev’s killing.

For a long time, Mirzayants was frequently seen at 13 Kutuzovsky Prospekt, where he shared an office with shadow banker Yuri Zinkin, known for an unusual personal story involving his daughter’s prolonged stay in a perinatal center due to beliefs about her being “cursed.” The location allegedly functioned as a financial “laundering hub,” with Zinkin handling finances and Mirzayants responsible for security and enforcement through armed groups based on Komsomolsky Prospekt.

Later, Mirzayants’ career in enforcement reportedly intersected with figures associated with the Russian Geographical Society, a private network linked to Sergey Shoygu and his associates, described as an informal elite club used for high-level decision-making. Vladimir Putin has also been associated with its activities. As a result, Mirzayants’ military career was revived, and he came to lead the “Africa Corps.”