Some victims of the Russians were taken by surprise while at home and some were burnt to death in their shops.

At least 19 civilians were reportedly killed on Sunday, Nov. 14, during an attack by Russian mercenaries on a mining site in the locality of Kouki in the Central African Republic.

The mining site is situated about 20 km from Nana-Bakassa town, in the centre of Ouham prefecture on the number one national highway leading to the border with Chad.

According to reliable sources which have been corroborated by administrative authorities, shortly before the attack on the mineral site, a patrol of Russian mercenaries fell into an ambush by Sudanese poachers about 20 km from Kouki, resulting in the death of four Russians.

“In retaliation, the Russians assaulted the mineral sites in the locality killing at least 19 miners and burning down several houses and shops,” a local source said.

“Some victims were taken by surprise while at home and some were burnt to death in their shops.”

The Russian mercenaries, however, claimed that 19 persons they killed were rebels and their accomplices working in the Kouki mining sites.

But according to the local sources, rebels of Mahamat Alkhatim’s MPC and the UPC of Ali Darassa had since deserted the zone for about a year now leaving only Central African Republic nationals and some Chadians at the sites.

At least 14 youths from Bossangoa were killed on Monday, June 2, 2021 by Russian mercenaries on the Kouki-Bossangoa highway.