Russia’s foreign intelligence agency, the SVR, took over control of influence operations in Africa once controlled by the Wagner Group after the death of its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to a new investigation by the International Media Union.Wagner, long considered Moscow’s most prominent mercenary force and widely criticized by human rights groups for its brutality, maintained extensive forces across Africa, according to AFP news agency. Its fighters operated alongside national militaries in countries such as Libya and Mali, while its influence networks carried out disinformation campaigns and political destabilization efforts.After Mr. Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash in 2023, weeks after leading a brief uprising against Moscow, Russia’s Defense Ministry moved to restructure the group’s security operations on the continent under a new umbrella organization known as the Afrika Korps. However, an investigation revealed that while the Ministry of Defense absorbed military functions, the SVR was in charge of Wagner’s political and information warfare organization.
The investigation, conducted by news organizations including Forbidden Stories, All Eyes On Wagner, Dossier Center, openDemocracy, and iStories, concluded that the SVR is currently leading efforts aimed at advancing Russia’s political and economic interests, spreading disinformation, and sidelining competitors in Africa and beyond.“SVR now continues to be the Wagner Group’s most effective tool,” the study states.Nearly 100 consultants work in Mr. Wagner’s influence division, known internally as African Politics or “The Company,” according to the findings. From 2024 to 2025, the team reportedly deployed to a wide range of countries including Angola, Argentina, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Chad, Ghana, Libya, Mali, Niger and Sudan, with additional activities recorded in Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Cameroon, Benin and Namibia.The investigation began after more than 1,400 pages of internal documents were anonymously sent to the editor-in-chief of pan-African media outlet The Continent. The files, which range from strategic plans, staff biographies, business updates, financial records, and summaries of disinformation campaigns conducted from January to November 2024, were confirmed to be authentic.“Documents show that these operations combine political influence, disinformation and close ties to security services, going far beyond normal practice in this field,” the consortium said.The SVR’s role reportedly includes providing information on sensitive topics, recruiting sources, facilitating access, and placing key influence agents in strategic roles. In Mali, for example, the agency was tasked with gathering intelligence on the military and political strategies of France and the United States in the Sahel region. It also provided diplomatic support for the creation of a new military-political bloc linking Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea.Following a series of coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from 2021 to 2023, the military government distanced itself from its former colonial power, France, and strengthened ties with Moscow. The three countries left regional bloc ECOWAS to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2023, a move researchers say is of important strategic interest to Russia.“Russia’s strategy has become clear with the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States,” the report said, calling it a “significant political victory.”Journalists also uncovered a network of companies allegedly used to channel funds from SVR to African Politics. They estimate the budget for influence operations from January to October 2024 to be approximately $7.3 million, or approximately $750,000 per month.Despite these efforts, investigators argue that the tangible economic benefits for Moscow remain limited. Russia has signed numerous memorandums of understanding across the continent, many of which have not yet evolved into concrete commercial ventures.“Russia is playing a long game, and the results will not necessarily be immediate,” the consortium said, adding that Russia’s strategy appears to be focused on politically unstable and fragile states, especially in the Sahel region.
