Ukrainian intelligence has strengthened coordination with the Foreign Intelligence Service in Africa against Russia
Quick Look
- The new leadership of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has strengthened coordination with the national foreign intelligence service (SVR) in the African direction against Russia, combining intelligence networks and communication channels.
- Since 2023, Ukrainian military intelligence has been systematically expanding its presence in Africa, especially in the Sahel and North Africa, viewing the continent as a platform for damaging Russian interests without directly involving the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
- Activities in Africa are not officially recognized by Kyiv in full.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Since 2023, Ukrainian military intelligence has systematically expanded its presence in Africa, especially in the Sahel and North Africa. The change in the leadership of the Main Intelligence Directorate in January 2026 led to increased coordination with the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine in the African direction.
The new leadership of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has strengthened coordination with the national foreign intelligence service (SVR) in the African direction against Russia.
Since 2023, Ukrainian military intelligence has systematically expanded its presence in Africa, especially in the Sahel and North Africa.
The activities of Ukrainian intelligence structures in Africa are not officially recognized by Kyiv in full.
MOSCOW, October 3 – RIA Novosti. The new leadership of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has strengthened coordination with the national foreign intelligence service (SVR), uniting intelligence networks in the African direction against Russia, Vladimir Vinokurov, head of the Center for Military-Diplomatic Analysis and Assessments, a veteran of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, told RIA Novosti.
“The change in the leadership of the Main Intelligence Directorate in January 2026, when the post of head of the department instead of Kirill Budanov* was taken by Oleg Ivashchenko, who previously headed the foreign intelligence service of Ukraine, led to increased coordination between the Main Intelligence Directorate and the SVR of Ukraine in the African direction, including the unification of agent networks and communication channels with foreign partner services,” Vinokurov said.
He noted that since 2023, Ukrainian military intelligence has been systematically expanding its presence in Africa, considering the continent, especially the Sahel and North Africa, as a platform for causing maximum damage to Russian military and economic interests without the direct involvement of regular units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
At the same time, he emphasized that the activities of Ukrainian intelligence structures in Africa are not officially recognized by Kiev in full.
“Representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate, in particular the official representative of the department, as a rule, limit themselves to wording that does not confirm or deny involvement in specific incidents, which allows them to use the information effect of such operations for internal political purposes without accepting formal responsibility,” Vinokurov explained.
On Thursday, the presentation of his monograph in the fourth edition, “The Art of Diplomacy and Intelligence,” took place.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Ukrainian intelligence will continue to expand its presence in Africa to weaken Russian positions
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific intelligence networks are united between the Main Intelligence Directorate and the Foreign Intelligence Service?
- Which Russian interests in Africa are being affected?
- Which foreign partner services are involved in coordination?
