Ukraine's Efforts to Counter Russia in Africa

 The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published on 20 November 2025 an analysis titled "A Shadow War in the Global South: Are Kyiv's Operations in Africa Paying Off?" by Sam Bowden.  

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv has conducted intelligence operations against the Kremlin across Africa and the Middle East.  Kyiv opened 8 new embassies in Africa after the Russian invasion in 2022, raising its total to 19.  But Ukraine's efforts continue to lag well behind Russia's engagement in Africa, and its outreach to the continent has been limited at best.  

Russia Hosts Forum for Africans in Sochi

 Dallas, Texas-based Atlas News published on 12 November 2024 an article titled "Russia-Africa Forum Aims To Redefine Global Power Dynamics" by Bianca Bridger.  

The first Russia-Africa Partnership Forum took place on 9-10 November in Sochi.  It attracted representatives from 54 countries including 40 at the ministerial level.  The participants produced a resolution that challenges "the international hegemonic order." Russian officials said the Forum "seeks to further entrench Russia's presence in the African continent."

Russian Private Military Companies in Africa

 The Foreign Policy Research Institue published on 30 May 2024 a study titled "Africa Faces the Unintended Consequences of Relying on Russian PMCs" by Christopher Faulkner, Jaclyn Johnson, and Zachary Streicher.

The authors conclude African client states that rely on Russian private military companies (PMCs) such as the Wagner Group and Africa Corps may find they will fail to produce desired security and instead generate or exacerbate grievances within the security sector.  

Russia's Growing Footprint in Africa

 The Council on Foreign Relations published on 28 December 2023 a backgrounder titled "Russia's Growing Footprint in Africa" by Mariel Ferragamo.

The author concluded that Russia is increasingly tapping into anti-Western sentiment to bolster its influence in Africa and gain support for a multipolar world.  The fallout from the war in Ukraine has, however, revealed diplomatic fault lines.