Survivors who fled northern Mali say Russian-linked mercenaries carried out summary killings, brutal interrogations and other abuses as part of counter-insurgency operations, forcing thousands to escape across the border.
One man, who is now in a refugee camp in Mauritania, described being seized in the town of Nampala last August and subjected to repeated water torture and threats after fighters accused him of helping militants.
He says he watched two detainees be killed in front of him and was threatened with the same fate before a Malian officer secured his release.
Other refugees gave similar accounts of violent detentions.
A herder said he and several companions were beaten, tied and driven to a military site where one of his friends stopped breathing after harsh mistreatment; the group was later released with no explanation.
Witnesses described mass round-ups in Nampala and nearby villages, including forced gatherings on a football field where people were publicly interrogated and threatened.
Local nomadic communities — particularly Tuareg and Arab herders — say they have been treated with suspicion and targeted during sweeps.
The allegations come amid a wider shift in Mali's security partnerships.
After a 2021 military takeover, Bamako expelled French forces and recruited Wagner Group contractors, who have since been replaced in part by a force known as Africa Corps under Russia's defence ministry.
Investigations by several organisations report graphic evidence of abuses linked to Wagner and its networks.
An analysis disclosed hundreds of images and videos shared in private channels showing killings and mutilation, while campaign groups say the presence of the fighters has intimidated parts of the Malian military.
Some analysts say Africa Corps includes many former Wagner personnel and inherits problematic practices, though a violence-monitoring organisation has suggested early indicators show a reduction in deliberate civilian mass killings compared with Wagner's peak operations.
The humanitarian fallout is stark.
The UN reports that nearly 50,000 people have sought refuge in M'berra camp in Mauritania, with families describing traumatic losses and ongoing fear tied to the fighters' name and methods.
Rights groups and think-tanks have urged investigations and accountability for alleged crimes.
Requests for comment to Russian and Malian defence officials were not answered ahead of publication.
Survivors say they want justice and the chance to rebuild their lives, but many remain uncertain whether they can return safely as the conflict and foreign security involvement continue to reshape life across Mali's north and central regions.
