The Main Intelligence Directorate Revealed How Russia Is Expanding Its Influence in Africa
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated that Russia continues to expand its influence in Africa through the Africa Politology network, which is linked to the legacy of the Wagner Group. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, this organization engages in information operations, supports pro-Russian politicians, and builds a media network to advance the Kremlin’s interests.
The intelligence agency also released the names of individuals who, according to their information, coordinate these operations, and explained how Russia conceals the financing of its projects on the African continent.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense published an investigation detailing the activities of the Africa Politology network. According to Ukrainian intelligence, following the weakening of the Wagner Group, this network has become one of Russia’s primary tools for exerting political influence in African countries.
The Main Intelligence Directorate asserts that the network is run by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. Its main task is to strengthen the Kremlin’s position on the continent by crowding out the influence of Western states and international organizations.
What Africa Politology Does
According to intelligence reports, the network’s activities are not limited to information campaigns. The Main Intelligence Directorate reports that the organization:
- conducts disinformation campaigns;
- manipulates public opinion;
- collaborates with local journalists and bloggers;
- creates and administers pro-Russian media outlets and Telegram channels;
- supports politicians loyal to Moscow;
- organizes protests;
- engages in information gathering;
- discredits democratic governments and the opposition.
According to intelligence reports, such activities are being carried out, in particular, in the Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, and a number of other countries.
What information operations did the network carry out?
The Main Intelligence Directorate reported that in 2024 alone, Africa Politology carried out several information campaigns commissioned by Russian foreign intelligence. Among them were:
- discrediting the humanitarian organization FHI 360 in the Central African Republic;
- a campaign against the extension of the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA;
- spreading rumors about the alleged poisoning of CAR President Fosten-Arkanze Touadéra during his stay in France;
- a campaign to discredit Ukraine in African countries;
- stoking anti-French sentiment.
Ukrainian intelligence also mentions attempts at coups d’état in Angola and Senegal.
Who, according to the GUR, coordinates the network’s activities
In its investigation, the GUR disclosed the personal details of individuals it identifies as key participants in this network. According to intelligence reports, they include:
- Dmitry Fadeev, former first deputy director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), who, according to the GUR, coordinated the transfer of the organization under the Kremlin’s control;
- Ilya Savelyev, executive director of the so-called “Center for the Study of Socio-Political Problems in Africa,” who serves as a liaison between the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service and Africa Politology;
- Sergey Klyushkin, head of the analytical division;
- Sergey Mashkevich, responsible for network development in Africa, who previously worked on Yevgeny Prigozhin’s projects in Sudan;
- Dmitry Volkov, Alexey Shilov, Taras Pribashin, Nikolai Radkovsky, Yulia Afanasyeva-Bereg and Ksenia Soboleva, who, according to Ukrainian intelligence, are involved in information operations, political campaigns, financing, and the creation of a network of fake social media accounts.
The Main Intelligence Directorate notes that Yulia Afanasyeva-Bereg is already subject to U.S. sanctions for interfering in electoral processes.
How These Operations Are Funded
The investigation pays particular attention to the network’s financing. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service uses front companies to conceal the origin of the funds.
Among these companies are JSC “Inter” and LLC “Intertechtrade.” The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) asserts that financial transactions were conducted through these companies to conceal the role of Russian intelligence, evade tax scrutiny, and reduce the risk of payments being blocked. Additionally, according to Ukrainian intelligence, a significant portion of the funds is transferred in cash.
The Main Intelligence Directorate says that Russia has changed its methods, but not its goals
Ukrainian intelligence believes that following the decline of the Wagner Group, the Kremlin has not abandoned its struggle for influence in Africa but has merely changed its methods. According to the GUR, networks of political influence, information campaigns, and covert financing now play a key role in helping Moscow advance its interests on the African continent. At the same time, as noted by intelligence sources, the ultimate goal remains unchanged—to strengthen Russian influence and weaken the positions of Western countries and international organizations. This is reported in an investigation by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense.
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