Russia tests “cognitive weapons” in Africa: GUR warns of large-scale Kremlin information operations

The African continent has become one of the main testing grounds for Russia’s latest hybrid warfare methods. It’s not just about military presence, but also about the active use of so-called cognitive weapons — information and disinformation campaigns aimed at manipulating public consciousness.

This was stated in an interview with Kyiv Post by Andriy Chernyak, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

According to him, the low level of media literacy in many African countries, as well as the rapid growth of access to the Internet and television, create favorable conditions for the mass dissemination of Russian propaganda. The use of content created with the help of artificial intelligence poses a particular threat.

Chernyak emphasized that such campaigns are already having real tragic consequences. One example was the Kremlin’s operation against the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where a wave of fakes and conspiracy theories caused mass unrest. As a result of the clashes, five peacekeepers and more than 30 protesters died.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russian special services are currently conducting systematic information operations in at least 22 African countries. Their goal is not only to strengthen political influence, but also to legalize military coups, provoke violence and intimidate citizens.

A special role in this is played by the so-called “covers” of the Kremlin — pseudo-public organizations and economic initiatives that present themselves as independent structures. Among them are the Alternative Russian-African Partner for Economic Development and the Pan-African Group for Trade and Investment.

The GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine emphasizes that the key conduits of Russian influence remain the special services, diplomatic missions, the Rossotrudnichestvo structure, the network of “Russian Houses”, as well as the so-called African Corps, associated with the remnants of the Wagner PMC.

Despite the official collapse of Wagner, the GUR notes that the structure continues to work in the interests of Moscow, and Russia’s influence in Africa remains significant.