The aggressor state, russia, has launched a large-scale recruitment campaign of citizens of African countries, using educational, religious and cultural initiatives as a cover to attract mercenaries.
As of the end of 2025, more than 1,400 mercenaries from 36 African countries were recorded in the occupation forces, while young women are massively sent to the production of attack drones in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone under the guise of civilian employment.
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This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s intelligence noted that the Kremlin is using a combined strategy to form loyal networks and find human resources for the war against Ukraine. In particular, educational and cultural projects, religious expansion, as well as programs involving civilian employment are used for this.
In particular, “russky dom” network, state media (Sputnik, RT) and scholarship programs create a favorable information field for the selection of recruits. An additional role is played by private military companies, local intermediaries and military-technical cooperation, which forms long-term dependencies through training and weapons supplies.
Africans, who then end up on the fronts of the russia-Ukraine war, are often recruited under the guise of civilian employment. The main focus is on socially vulnerable youth, people with limited access to education and work, as well as women with low incomes and people with military experience. Africans are offered jobs as security guards, drivers or builders, but later they are involved in activities in the interests of the russian federation.
Another example is the recruitment of young women aged 18–22 years as part of "Alabuga Start" program. They are sent to russia ostensibly for civilian work, but in fact – for the production of military products, including UAVs, in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone.
A separate tool of influence has been the expansion of the russian Orthodox Church (ROC). Over the period 2022–2026, the ROC expanded its presence from 4 to over 30 African countries, using the construction of churches and seminaries to spread pro-russian narratives.
As noted by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, a number of countries on the continent have already begun to take radical measures in response to Moscow's actions.
In particular, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Botswana and Lesotho have officially accused the russian federation of mass recruitment of their citizens. It is planned to strengthen control over employment agencies and revise migration agreements with russia. Also, the governments of a number of African countries intend to limit contacts with russian cultural and educational structures, which have turned out to be instruments of military recruitment.
Defense Express reported earlier on how russian mercenary from uganda got into russia’s war against Ukraine. We also wrote on why russia replaced the Wagner Group with its Africa Corps in Mali.
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