In early November, Sochi will host a significant event: the first Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. This meeting will bring together leaders from Africa, some of whom were brought in by a consulting firm called Bureau Legint. Based in Yekaterinburg, this firm has deep connections to Russia’s security services and has been involved in several high-profile scandals, including the controversial Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The Dark Side of Bureau Legint
Bureau Legint isn’t just a typical consulting firm; it has links to the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency. Since 2018, Russia has been working hard to increase its presence in Africa, gradually pushing out the influence of Western countries like the U.S. and France. Key players in this strategy are the GRU’s Fourth Directorate and the FSB’s Fifth Service, two intelligence agencies that have revived old Soviet spy networks in Africa. They’ve been recruiting local politicians, military officers, and journalists to gain control.
Bureau Legint was co-founded by Viktor Boyarkin, a former GRU naval intelligence officer. He has a shady past, including spying in the U.S. and working for Russia’s top defense corporation. He even had ties to Oleg Deripaska, a powerful oligarch involved in aluminum production. Boyarkin’s main job with Deripaska involved keeping labor strikes under control in Guinea. His activities raised eyebrows, especially when he attempted to extract money from Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s campaign manager, during a controversial period.
Today, Boyarkin is a member of Russia’s Council on Foreign and Defense Policy and advises the Kremlin on countering Western sanctions, all while trying to keep a low profile due to U.S. sanctions against him.
A New Face: Anastasia Samarkina
To handle the public side of Bureau Legint, Boyarkin appointed his wife’s distant relative, Anastasia Samarkina, as CEO. Samarkina is ambitious and has mingled with foreign ambassadors, attended international forums, and signed important agreements with major Russian corporations. She’s even received praise from GRU officials for promoting Russia’s interests abroad.
Building Connections in Africa
Alongside Bureau Legint, Boyarkin started the Association for Economic Cooperation with African States (AECAS). This organization aims to strengthen Russia’s ties with African countries. The group employs various members, including Vladimir Kurchenko, who has military ties, and Ukrainian national Andriy Albeshchenko, who used to work in banking.
The AECAS launched a program called “Russia-Africa: The Power of Friendship Through Years and Distances,” promoting Russian friendship and cooperation with African nations. This includes sending Russian cosmonauts to African countries to talk to students and even Wagner mercenaries involved in local conflicts.
Networking Through Diplomacy
In Moscow, AECAS operates similarly to the Soviet-era KGB, using embassies to establish connections. They offer free tours to the wives of African diplomats, giving them a taste of Russian culture while secretly building important relationships.
A New Council for Libya
Another of Boyarkin’s initiatives is the Business Advisory Council on Libya (BACL), created with the help of the FSB to expand Russia’s influence in the Middle East. The executive director is Evgeny Sosonkin, a career officer from the FSB. This council has been active in various discussions about Russia’s role in Libya.
The Impact of Yevgeny Prigozhin
Recently, however, the fortunes of Bureau Legint and other organizations have changed. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the former head of the Wagner Group, shifted funding and resources toward his interests in Africa, undermining previous agreements. Now that Prigozhin is gone, there’s hope among former associates that things may improve for them once again.
