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Russia has intensified the activity of so-called “Russian Houses” in African countries, using them not only as centers for promoting Russian influence under the guise of cultural diplomacy, but also as hubs for recruiting mercenaries to fight against Ukraine.
According to UATV English, this was reported on Facebook by Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under the National Security and Defense Council.
Nigerian media note that “Russian Houses” have become part of a shadow infrastructure fueling the war against Ukraine through ideological manipulation and deception.
Russian propaganda presents these institutions as organizations promoting Russian language and culture across Africa. In reality, the CCD says, these structures — established by the state-run agency Rossotrudnichestvo — are actively engaged in destructive activities.
“They justify Russia’s aggressive policies, expand Russian influence, promote hatred toward the West, and spread a distorted picture of reality among local populations,” the CCD stated.
The Center emphasized that such activities demonstrate how Russia exploits cultural platforms abroad as tools of hybrid warfare, combining propaganda, influence operations, and direct recruitment for its military campaigns.
Earlier, the CCD also reported that migrant women from Central Asia imprisoned in Russia are being offered “freedom” in exchange for deployment to the combat zone.
