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Russia’s “Education” Programs in Africa Mask a War Recruitment Pipeline
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Russia is systematically recruiting citizens from African countries to participate in its war against Ukraine, presenting these efforts as opportunities for employment or education.
This was reported by Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 17.
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He stressed that the recent revelations about Russia’s recruitment activities in Africa “are likely just the tip of the iceberg.”
Tykhyi further warned that Russia’s dramatic increase in scholarships for African students in the upcoming academic year should not be viewed as an educational initiative.
“No one should be so naive as to believe that this is about education,” he stated.
Russia's illicit recruiting efforts in Africa make headlines across the continent, from Kenya to Botswana, and backfire on Moscow.
— Heorhii Tykhyi (@SpoxUkraineMFA) December 17, 2025
What has been revealed thus far is likely just the tip of the iceberg. We urge all African media and governments to take bold action to stop Russian… pic.twitter.com/ATwCRqAm5V
Tykhyi also emphasized the need for systemic countermeasures to fight these recruitment efforts, including raising awareness among citizens through formal warnings and taking legal action to uncover and disrupt these programs.
“We urge all African media and governments to take bold action to stop Russian programs that are luring youth throughout the continent into its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” spokesman added.
Earlier, Russia recently ramped up its information operations throughout Africa, with increasing focus in the Russian-African media on the deployment of the African Corps in the Central African Republic, according to a report by Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service on December 15.
