Russia targeting African migrants in digital recruitment campaigns

Signe Marie Cold-Ravnkilde; Karen Philippa  Larsen

Russia targeting African migrants in digital recruitment campaigns

Research output: Working Paper, Paper, Policy Brief, Brief, Impact › Policy Briefs, Briefs and Impacts › Research

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Abstract

Russia’s war in Ukraine persistently relies on foreign labour and is accompanied by online recruitment campaigns targeting young Africans. Yet these campaigns are contested, and exposure to online content alone rarely drives migration decisions.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Copenhagen
Publisher	Danish Institute for International Studies
Number of pages	4
Publication status	Published - 26 Jan 2026

Series	DIIS Policy Brief
Number	January
Volume	2026

Keywords

Russia
Africa
Migrants
Recruitment

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russia-targeting-african-migrants-digitalFinal published version, 728 KB

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title = "Russia targeting African migrants in digital recruitment campaigns",

abstract = "Russia{\textquoteright}s war in Ukraine persistently relies on foreign labour and is accompanied by online recruitment campaigns targeting young Africans. Yet these campaigns are contested, and exposure to online content alone rarely drives migration decisions.",

keywords = "Russia's war in Ukraine, high risk migration, Digital technologies, Russia, Africa, Migrants, Recruitment",

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KW - Russia's war in Ukraine

KW - high risk migration

KW - Digital technologies

KW - Russia

KW - Africa

KW - Migrants

KW - Recruitment

UR - https://www.diis.dk/en/node/28115

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BT - Russia targeting African migrants in digital recruitment campaigns

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Russia targeting African migrants in digital recruitment campaigns

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

FSPS 2025: Russia's Shadow Soldiers

Europa har været med til at skabe forudsætningerne for Ruslands rekruttering i det globale syd

Migrants, prisoners and foreign fighters: Sustaining the Russia-Ukraine frontline

Brev fra Ukraine: »Putin forsøger at fryse os ihjel«

Cite this

Russia targeting African migrants in digital recruitment campaigns

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Projects

FSPS 2025: Russia's Shadow Soldiers

Research output

Europa har været med til at skabe forudsætningerne for Ruslands rekruttering i det globale syd

Activities

Migrants, prisoners and foreign fighters: Sustaining the Russia-Ukraine frontline

Press/Media

Brev fra Ukraine: »Putin forsøger at fryse os ihjel«

Cite this