Ukrainian military intelligence expands subversive activities in Africa against Russia
Quick Look
Ukrainian military intelligence has been expanding its presence in Africa since 2023-2024, establishing contacts with armed groups opposing Russian forces in the region in order to damage Russian military and economic interests, GRU veteran Vladimir Vinokurov said at the presentation of his monograph.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Since 2023–2024, Ukrainian military intelligence has been expanding its presence on the African continent to harm Russian military and economic interests by establishing contacts with armed groups opposing Russian forces in the region.
Brief retelling from RIA II
Ukrainian military intelligence has been expanding its presence on the African continent since 2023–2024 to harm Russian military and economic interests.
The main instrument of this activity was establishing contacts with armed groups opposing Russian forces in the region.
The visiting teams include employees of special purpose units of the Main Intelligence Directorate and citizens of Ukraine with experience of serving in foreign armed forces, as well as persons with dual identity documents.
MOSCOW, October 2 – RIA Novosti. Ukrainian military intelligence is expanding subversive activities in Africa in the fight 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.
On Thursday, the presentation of his monograph in the fourth edition, “The Art of Diplomacy and Intelligence,” took place.
“Since 2023-2024, Ukrainian military intelligence has been systematically expanding its presence on the African continent, considering the region as a platform for causing damage to Russian military and economic interests without the direct involvement of regular units of the Ukrainian armed forces,” Vinokurov said.
The main tool for implementing this line, he said, was establishing contacts with armed groups opposing Russian forces operating in the region, primarily with the Tuareg separatist structures of the Sahel and jihadist groups associated with them.
“The personnel base of the African direction is made up of employees of the special forces units of the GUR (main intelligence department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine - ed.), including those included in the so-called Special Operations Center “A” and the “Timur” unit,” Vinokurov said.
Citizens of Ukraine who have experience serving in foreign armed forces, for example in the French Foreign Legion or private military structures, and speak French and Arabic, are also involved in visiting groups.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Ukrainian military intelligence will continue to expand its presence in Africa by establishing new contacts with local armed groups.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Which specific armed groups in the Sahel are collaborating with Ukrainian intelligence?
- Have Ukrainian specialists received official support from the states of the region?
- What specific actions have already been committed by Ukrainian groups in Africa against Russian interests?
