Highlights: The Washington Post dissects a series of confidential American documents leaked earlier this month. The documents reveal part of the behind-the-scenes of American espionage in these times of war in Ukraine. They formally demonstrate that the American intelligence services infiltrated the Russian army, up to the military command. The objective of Russian military intelligence was also to spread in African media narratives unfavorable to Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky. The Wagner group allegedly sought to buy Turkish weapons for shares in Mali.

In an article published Saturday, April 8, the Washington Post dissects a series of confidential American documents leaked earlier this month. On this basis, the newspaper details among others...

Leak of confidential US documents: Russian operations in Africa detailed

Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner paramilitary group, March 3, 2023. AP

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In an article published Saturday, April 8, the Washington Post dissects a series of confidential American documents leaked earlier this month. On this basis, the newspaper details among others some practices of Russia and the Wagner group in several African countries.

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After the leak of secret defense documents revealed by the New York Times, the United States says it is assessing the risks to its national security. These documents reveal part of the behind-the-scenes of American espionage in these times of war in Ukraine. They formally demonstrate that the American intelligence services infiltrated the Russian army, up to the military command, whose objective was, among other things, to manipulate opinions, especially in Africa.

According to the Washington Post, which was able to consult some of these confidential documents, the US services were aware of internal projects of the GRU, the General Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, including the preparation of a propaganda campaign in several African countries. It was allegedly intended to discredit the United States and France and to spur public opinion against leaders supporting aid to Ukraine. According to a US intelligence report, seen by the Washington Post, the objective of Russian military intelligence was also to spread in African media narratives unfavorable to Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Wagner allegedly sought to buy Turkish weapons for shares in Mali

Another aspect of this leak is that a confidential American document shows that the Wagner group sought to buy Turkish weapons. In early February, employees of the Russian paramilitary group met with Turkish contacts to acquire weapons and equipment for the group's actions in Ukraine and also in Mali. The report indicates, according to the Washington Post, that the transitional president, Assimi Goïta, confirmed that Mali could buy weapons from Turkey in the name of "Vagner", the spelling used in the report.

The not-so-be-confidential note, however, does not make clear how Turkish government authorities were aware of the move – Turkey is an official NATO ally – and whether the deal was completed.

Leak of confidential US documents: Russian operations in Africa detailed

Leak of confidential US documents: Russian operations in Africa detailed

Wagner allegedly sought to buy Turkish weapons for shares in Mali

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