When Russia initiated its extensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kremlin officials envisioned a quick and decisive victory. Contrarily, Kyiv not only staunchly defended its territory but also managed to globalize the conflict, targeting Russian interests far beyond its borders.
This extensive campaign has reached regions such as Africa and the Middle East, where Ukrainian forces systematically strike Russian assets in an effort to diminish Moscow’s economic clout and geopolitical sway.
Targeting Russian Assets Worldwide
Ukrainian operations have extended into the Middle East, specifically focusing on Russian military positions.
According to a leaked US intelligence report, during the early months of 2023, Ukrainian forces devised a strategy to attack Russian installations in Syria, utilizing the expertise of covert Kurdish operatives.
This strategic offensive aimed to compel Russia to reallocate military resources to Syria, thereby reducing its operational strength in Ukraine. Ukrainian military leaders even considered the training of Syrian Democratic Forces to carry out coordinated drone strikes against Russian targets.
The ambitious operations are overseen by Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR). This agency functions autonomously from Ukraine’s domestic intelligence services, akin to the distinctions between the FBI and CIA in the United States, and has successfully executed various drone strikes within Russian territory.
In March 2024, Budanov expressed Ukraine’s commitment to countering Russian mercenaries operating in Africa, boldly stating, “We conduct operations aimed at reducing Russian military potential wherever it’s possible. Why should Africa be an exception?”
Ukrainian soldiers fire an 82mm mortar toward Russian positions. Photo: Virginie Nguyen Hoang/AFP
Ukraine’s Reach in Africa
In Africa, Russia has strategically exploited local resources to circumvent Western-imposed sanctions, particularly visible in Sudan, where it has cultivated a military alliance with the ruling government. This partnership has enabled the Kremlin to divert billions of dollars worth of gold, stripping Sudanese citizens of vital economic benefits.
In 2021, Russia’s backing of a military coup in Sudan severely disrupted efforts towards building a democratic government, solidifying its access to Sudanese resources, including gold, essential for funding its military operations in Ukraine.
In response to these tactics, Kyiv has intensified its endeavors to counteract Russian influence on the continent. In August 2023, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba vowed to “liberate Africa from Russia’s dominance” as part of a comprehensive diplomatic counteroffensive.
A month later, Ukrainian special forces were actively engaging Russian-backed factions in Sudan, including drone strikes targeting Russian mercenaries within the country.
Senior fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, Sergey Sukhankin, suggested that military support for these operations against Russia in Africa was likely established through agreements between Ukraine and its Western allies.
Beyond combat initiatives, Ukrainian troops have been training Sudanese forces in tactics proven effective in Ukraine, including advanced drone warfare techniques.
This dual strategy—training Sudanese forces while hitting Russian mercenaries—has empowered Ukraine to gradually erode Moscow’s influence across Africa while simultaneously showcasing vulnerabilities beyond its borders.
Shifting Perceptions and Resources
Ukraine’s incursions in Africa have not only destabilized Russian operations on the continent but have significantly altered global perceptions of Russia as a military power.
In war-torn Afghanistan, for example, Russia is increasingly perceived as a perilous entity, perpetually targeted by drone strikes.
By striking Russian assets in Africa and the Middle East, Ukraine is compelling Russia to allocate valuable military resources to defend its global interests, thereby stretching its military capabilities thin and diverting attention from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Furthermore, the strategic implications of Ukraine’s operations in Syria and Sudan are profound. In Syria, Ukrainian operations against Russian forces, including mercenaries, near the Golan Heights, have potentially disrupted critical Russian intelligence-gathering operations in the region.
With Russian resources increasingly consumed in these various military fronts, Ukraine seeks to curtail Moscow’s capacity to effectively project power in these strategically vital regions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin together with his high-ranking military and defense officials. Photo: Alexey Druzhinin/AFP
The Impact in Mali and Beyond
Ukraine’s operations extend beyond mere drone strikes and military training.
In Mali, for instance, Ukrainian intelligence and training provided pivotal information that facilitated local insurgents in their ambush against Russian Wagner mercenaries, leading to the deaths of 84 Russian fighters in July 2024.
This significant success provoked an immediate backlash from Moscow, with Russian officials accusing Ukraine of opening a “second front” in Africa.
Ukrainian intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov confirmed the intelligence role in this operation, affirming that the insurgents had the “necessary information” to execute the ambush. While the Ukrainian government denies direct military involvement, the incident underscores the strategic significance of such collaborative initiatives.
Ukraine’s Global Strategy
Ukraine’s expansive global campaign against Russia is not merely a reactionary measure, but a calculated strategy designed to weaken Moscow’s grip on global affairs and redistribute its military assets.
By focusing on Russian mercenaries in Africa and disrupting its operations in the Middle East, Kyiv is redefining the conflict landscape and compelling Russia to engage on multiple fronts simultaneously.
These measures don’t simply erode Russia’s authority; they also equip Ukraine with vital military and diplomatic leverage in its ongoing struggle for sovereignty.
David Kirichenko is an Associate Research Fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, a London-based think tank.
He can be found on the social media platform X @DVKirichenko
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Defense Post.
The Defense Post aims to publish a wide range of high-quality opinion and analysis from a diverse array of people – do you want to send us yours? Click here to submit an op-ed.
When should you use the phrase “Sorry, I can’t assist with that”?
Sorry, I can’t assist with that.
