Ukraine's intelligence reveals Russia’s real objectives in Africa
Illustrative photo: Russian military personnel in Africa pursue several objectives (Getty Images)
Russia uses African countries to bypass sanctions, loot mineral resources, and recruit mercenaries for its war against Ukraine, Andrii Cherniak, a representative of the Defense Directorate of the Ministry of Defense (HUR), made this statement in an interview with the Kyiv Post.
He noted that Africa consists of more than 50 UN member states, which Russia sees as a large "bank of votes." With its help, the Kremlin can create a so-called opposition bloc on the international stage and the illusion that Russia remains an influential global power, as well as promote the narrative of a so-called "multipolar world."
In addition, Russia gains access to valuable natural resources such as gold, diamonds, uranium, and oil. In particular, the aggressor state is interested in the resource-rich Sahel region.
"When Russians gain access to African deposits of valuable materials, however, they behave like colonial exploiters in the worst sense of the term. This often ends in environmental disaster," Cherniak emphasized.
As an example, he named Sudan, where Russians allegedly polluted water resources with mercury during gold mining.
Smuggling and cheap mercenaries
The Kremlin also uses Africa for smuggling and seeks ways to bypass sanctions there in order to support its economy and obtain technologies for weapons production.
"In addition, Russia views Africa as a source of the cheapest mercenaries for its criminal war against Ukraine. In many cases, this is done through deception — people are promised jobs, but after arriving in Russia, they are sent into meat-grinder assaults," Chernyak noted.
He added that Ukraine’s HUR has reported numerous cases of African nationals being killed in the war.
Russia has deployed a large-scale mercenary recruitment network in Africa to support its war against Ukraine. Under the guise of job offers, the Kremlin is persuading citizens of nearly 40 African countries to join Russian military formations.
Moscow involves not only intermediaries but also diplomatic missions and cultural initiatives in this campaign. In particular, in the Republic of Togo, a so-called "Russian House" has been opened, officially presented as a cultural center.
In reality, behind the declared humanitarian activities lies the spread of Russian propaganda, disinformation, and the recruitment of local residents into the ranks of the occupation forces.
