Russia Announces Expansion Of “Russian House” Network In Ten Countries Worldwide — CCD

The Russian foreign service agency, Rossotrudnichestvo, has announced the establishment of 11 "Russian Houses" in ten countries across the globe. According to UATV English, this announcement was made on Telegram by the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council. The expansion of the "Russian House" network was revealed by Yevgeny Chaika, the head of Rossotrudnichestvo, a state institution tasked with promoting Russian influence abroad.

The majority of the new centers, eight out of eleven, are expected to be established in African nations such as Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mali, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The remaining centers will be located in Armenia and Thailand. The CCD noted that this latest wave of expansion in the "Russian House" network exhibits a hybrid nature, with the new centers being set up within existing local organizations, including NGOs, cultural centers, and universities.

This strategic approach is designed to circumvent potential government refusals and to operate within local legislation without the need for formal intergovernmental agreements.

The CCD emphasized that the increasing awareness among various states worldwide of the potential threat posed by such structures is a significant development. This is because the "Russian Houses" are essentially covert tools of Russian hybrid influence, disguised as mere cultural exchange. Consequently, several countries have either closed or restricted the activities of these centers to safeguard their national security.

Russia's expansion of sanctions-evasion tools is also evident, as part of its international transactions is now being routed through crypto-payment channels via African countries.