Russia is expanding its information influence in more than 20 African countries
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia is actively conducting information operations in at least 22 African countries, using a network of influence structures and media outlets that reach millions of people and shape narratives favorable to the Kremlin. The Ukrainian side claims that these actions are accompanied by the spread of disinformation and interference in the internal affairs of a number of states.
This involves not only information campaigns but also the creation of organizations masquerading as independent civic initiatives, which, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate, are in fact coordinated by Russian influence networks.
Russia is conducting information operations in at least 22 countries on the African continent, reaching millions of people and influencing socio-political processes in the region. Andriy Chernyak, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, reported this in an interview with the *Kyiv Post*.
According to him, the scale of Russia’s presence in the information space of African countries has grown significantly, and the activities of such networks are aimed at spreading fake news, inciting violence, and supporting unconstitutional political changes. “In at least 22 countries, Russian intelligence services are running a fake news machine that reaches millions of people, inciting violence, supporting and legitimizing military coups, and intimidating civil society representatives,” Chernyak noted.
The Main Intelligence Directorate also claims that, to conceal its true objectives, Russia creates structures that position themselves as independent pan-African organizations or civic initiatives. Among them are the “Alternative Russia-Africa Partnership for Economic Development” (PARADE) and the “Pan-African Trade and Investment Group” (GPCI).
According to an intelligence official, Russian intelligence services, operating under the cover of diplomatic missions and affiliated organizations, play a key role in these processes. “Russian intelligence services, operating under the cover of Russian embassies and diplomatic missions, as well as organizations under their control—in particular, ‘Rossotrudnichestvo,’ the network of so-called ‘Russian Houses,’ and the ‘African Corps,’” Chernyak added.
The Main Intelligence Directorate emphasizes that such information campaigns are part of Russia’s broader strategy of influence on the international stage, particularly in regions experiencing political instability. Andriy Chernyak, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR), said this in an interview with the *Kyiv Post*.
Over the past 24 hours, 204 combat engagements took place on the front lines. The situation remains most tense in the Pokrovsk direction, where Russian troops carried out more than 30 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders.
