Russia is leveraging the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as a tool of hybrid influence in African states, said Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
This was reported by the Ukraine's Defense Intelligence
According to Yusov, under the cover of missionary activity, Russia promotes political and ideological narratives favorable to the Kremlin, creating pro-Russian networks across the continent.
A key instrument in this strategy is the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, established by the ROC in December 2021, after Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria recognized the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. In response, Moscow began actively encouraging Orthodox priests in various African countries to switch to its jurisdiction, calling it “protection from schism.”
The Alexandrian Orthodox Church officially condemned the move, accusing the ROC of interfering in its canonical territory.
In addition, Russia — with church support — is building temples and launching educational initiatives aimed at winning the trust of local communities and promoting Moscow's interests.
Yusov emphasized that the aggressor state is exporting not only weapons to Africa but also “Orthodoxy,” using the church as a tool of pressure and as a means to undermine legitimate ecclesiastical structures.
“This,” he added, “is yet another element of Russia’s hybrid expansion.”
