How Russia Is Using the Wagner Legacy in Africa: Details from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service is using the Africa Politology political influence network, linked to the Wagner Group, to exert influence in Africa.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reported on this.

Africa Politology is a covert Russian network of political influence that develops strategies aimed at displacing the influence of Western countries and the UN from Africa, specifically:

• conducts disinformation campaigns;
• manipulates public opinion;
• bribes local journalists and bloggers;
• creates and coordinates pro-Russian media outlets and Telegram channels.

The network’s political activities also include supporting pro-Russian politicians, organizing protests, espionage, and discrediting democratic governments and opposition parties, particularly in the Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, and other African countries.

In 2024, on behalf of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Africa Politology carried out a series of information operations, such as:

• IO-1: “Discrediting the presence of the humanitarian organization FHI 360 in the CAR”;
• IO-2: “Opposing the extension of the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA in the CAR”;
• IO-3: “Spreading rumors about the poisoning of CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra in France”;
• IO-4: “Discrediting Ukraine on the African continent”;
• IO-5: “Fomenting anti-French sentiment in the CAR.”

There have also been reports of coup attempts in Angola and Senegal.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine has published the personal data of key figures implementing Russia’s subversive policy in Africa through Africa Politology:

• Dmitry Fadeev — former first deputy director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). He coordinated the organization’s transition under Kremlin control.
• Ilya Savelyev — Executive Director of the so-called “Center for the Study of Socio-Political Problems in Africa.” He facilitates operational communication between the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service and Africa Politology.
• Sergey Klyushkin — Head of the Analytical Department; coordinates sociological research and political analysis in target countries.
• Sergey Mashkevich — responsible for expanding Africa Politology’s influence in Africa; chief negotiator with the SVR regarding funding. Previously served as the project manager for Prigozhin’s projects in Sudan.
• Dmitry Volkov — since July 2024, has been responsible for operations in Bolivia.
• Alexey Shilov — specializes in political influence and election campaigns.
• Taras Pribashin — participated in operations in Syria, the USA, European countries, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and the Central African Republic.
• Nikolai Radkovsky — head of information operations.
• Yulia Afanasyeva-Bereg — coordinator of African projects. She is subject to American sanctions for interfering in electoral processes.
• Ksenia Soboleva — coordinator of the creation of fake Facebook accounts and organizer of funding for pro-Russian Telegram channels.

The foreign intelligence service of the aggressor state funds Africa Politology through front companies. Among others, the firms JSC “Inter” and LLC “Intertechtrade” are involved in the schemes for shadow financing of Russia’s hybrid operations abroad.

According to the investigation, transactions between the companies were conducted to disguise the origin of the funds, conceal the role of Russia’s foreign intelligence service, evade tax scrutiny, and minimize the risk of payments being blocked. A significant portion of Africa Politology’s funding is provided in cash.

One of the main sources of funding for the remnants of the Russian PMC, aside from funding from the SVR, is illegal drug trafficking in the Central African Republic (CAR).