The third Russia-Africa Summit is due to bring African leaders to Moscow at the end of October, as ties between Russia and the continent continue to grow. The Kremlin has sought to expand its influence in Africa amid its isolation from the US and Europe, while African governments have pursued closer economic, diplomatic and security ties with Moscow.

Russia has also sought to draw African recruits into its war in Ukraine. Four years after the invasion, Kyiv estimates that around 3,000 Africans have ended up fighting for Moscow on the front lines. We discuss Russia’s growing ties with Africa and the recruitment of African fighters with journalist Noé Michalon.