Russia is actively using the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as a tool of hybrid influence across the African continent. According to Andriy Yusov, a representative of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR), the ROC is building pro-Russian networks under the guise of a “spiritual mission” to spread Kremlin-friendly narratives and strengthen Moscow’s influence in the region.
“The aggressor state is exporting not only weapons to Africa, but also ‘Orthodoxy.’ The Church is being used as an instrument of influence and to undermine legitimate ecclesiastical structures. This is yet another element of Russia’s hybrid expansion,” Yusov said.
One of the key components of this campaign is the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa — an organization established by the ROC in December 2021 in response to the recognition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine by Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria.
Following the creation of the Exarchate, the ROC began actively recruiting priests from various African countries into its jurisdiction, claiming it was “protecting against a church schism.” In response, the Orthodox Church of Alexandria accused Moscow of encroaching on its canonical territory.
In addition, the ROC has been building churches and launching educational initiatives across Africa — all aimed at gaining the trust of local communities and promoting Kremlin influence under the cover of religious activity.
Last week Kyiv Post reported that Russia is steadily expanding its influence in Africa, using educational and youth programs as tools of strategic outreach. One of the main priorities is fostering a new generation of African elites loyal to the Kremlin, Ukrainian intelligence reported.
Russia offers state-funded university scholarships to citizens of African countries, focusing on fields critical to national development – such as agriculture, engineering, education, and medicine.
“African education and sports are increasingly being used by the aggressor state as instruments of hybrid influence aimed at shaping a new generation of political and administrative elites loyal to the Kremlin,” Yusov said.
Russia’s growing involvement in Africa’s educational and youth sectors is part of a broader, long-term strategy that combines elements of “soft power” with political, economic, and security instruments.
Similar tactics have also been observed in the Middle East. Kyiv Post reporting has repeatedly highlighted the presence of Ukraine’s military intelligence in regions where Russia maintains significant influence – including Sudan, Syria, and other countries where Moscow supports paramilitary groups or allied regimes.
In May 2023, HUR chief Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov promised to “destroy Russian war criminals anywhere in the world they may be.”
Ukrainian HUR special forces continue hunting for pro-Kremlin Wagner mercenaries in Sudan and other parts of the African continent:
Mali
Last July, Kyiv Post received a unique photo of Malian Tuareg rebels posing with the Ukrainian flag, showing their support for Ukraine.
Sudan
In November 2023, Kyiv Post got an exclusive video allegedly showing Ukrainian special forces performing “cleaning up” operations of Wagner fighters in Sudan.
In January 2024, Kyiv Post published an exclusive video allegedly showing Ukrainian drones destroying “Russian mercenaries” and their “local terrorist partners” in Sudan.
And in February 2024, Kyiv Post acquired exclusive footage allegedly showing Ukrainian special forces interrogating captured Wagner Group mercenaries in the Republic of Sudan. In the video, the prisoners confess that their mission was to get to Sudan and overthrow the government there.
Syria
In addition to Sudan, last June, Kyiv Post published exclusive footage of Ukrainian special forces attacking enemy checkpoints, strongholds, foot patrols, and columns of military equipment in the Golan Heights in Syria.
According to Kyiv Post’s HUR source, since the beginning of the year, insurgents, with the support of Ukrainian fighters, have struck numerous times against Russian military facilities under the control of the so-called Russian Armed Forces Group in the Syrian Arab Republic.
At the end of July 2024, Kyiv Post received several exclusive videos and photos showing the continuation of the special operation by HUR units to destroy Russian forces in Syria.
According to Kyiv Post sources in the special service, the Khimik group carried out another complex strike on Russian occupation forces in Syria in late July 2024. This time, the target of the attack was Russian military equipment at the Kuweires airfield, located east of Aleppo.
Later, exclusive footage from Kyiv Post sources appears to show HUR special forces attacking a Russian base in Syria, near Aleppo, on Sept. 15, where Moscow was producing and testing strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).