Kremlin Uses 'Russian Houses' Network in Africa to Recruit Youth for War Against Ukraine – GUR
Ukraine's military intelligence reports that Russia is using a network of 'Russian Houses' in Africa for ideological indoctrination and covert recruitment of local youth to fight against Ukraine.
The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has revealed that Russia is using the network of so-called 'Russian Houses' in Africa as a cover for ideological indoctrination and covert recruitment of local youth to participate in hostilities against Ukraine. The network is run by the Russian federal agency Rossotrudnichestvo together with the 'Center of People's Diplomacy' under the leadership of Russian State Duma deputy Dmitry Savelyev.
According to intelligence, these centers target African youth with intense propaganda, showing Soviet and Russian films and distributing censored literature to create a distorted image of Russia. Africans are lured to Russia under the pretext of education or employment, given an illusion of a happy life, taught Russian, and fed false promises. In reality, many end up signing contracts with Russian occupation forces and dying in assault units on the front lines of the criminal war against Ukraine.
The 'Russian Houses' currently operate in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Zambia, Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and South Africa. 'Partner centers' function in Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Madagascar, and Namibia. Moscow plans to open new offices in eight more countries: Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Mozambique, Mali, Senegal, Liberia, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Earlier, in April 2026, the GUR disclosed Kremlin plans to recruit at least 18,500 foreign mercenaries by the end of 2026. In June, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry confirmed the participation of at least 2,965 citizens from 36 African countries in combat on Russia's side. Several African states, including Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria, have repeatedly demanded explanations and an end to the illegal recruitment, but the Russian Foreign Ministry continues to ignore these demands.
