With 'Russian Houses,' Moscow Expands Soft Power Push Into Africa - The Moscow Times

With 'Russian Houses,' Moscow Expands Soft Power Push Into Africa

The curtains were drawn, chairs arranged, and a projector lowered. More than 30 people gathered in a packed room as a video began to play, sharing a familiar narrative from Moscow: the story of Crimea's “return” to Russia in 2014, the local support for this annexation, and the peninsula's current status as a popular tourist destination.

For many attendees, the politics of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine held little daily significance. However, at this local branch of the cultural agency called Russian House in Mali's capital, the priority was ensuring that people received the Kremlin’s interpretation of the event.

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues into its fourth year, Moscow is actively seeking to secure allies and build support among non-Western nations. Africa stands at the center of this strategy, where over a dozen Russian Houses have been opened in major cities recently, according to a Moscow Times review of press releases, social media, and pro-Russian media coverage.

These Russian Houses play a crucial role in Russia's diplomatic and cultural outreach to these countries, a campaign critics describe as spreading pro-Russian propaganda.

“For many in the room, the politics of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine had little relevance to everyday life. But at this local affiliate of a cultural agency known as Russian House in the capital of Mali, the important thing was that people come away with the Kremlin’s view of the issue.”
“The center of this effort is Africa, where more than a dozen so-called Russian Houses have been established in major cities in recent years.”

Role of Russian Houses in Africa

These institutions are part of a broader effort to strengthen Russia's global alliances beyond the Western sphere.

Author's summary: Russia intensifies its soft power campaign in Africa through cultural centers called Russian Houses, promoting the Kremlin's narratives amid the Ukraine conflict.

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The Moscow Times The Moscow Times — 2025-11-06

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