Russia claims to be a global power and is trying to show it in Africa, where it seeks to revive USSR’s former influence and, at the same time, make money. Moscow's African policy, however, is limited to exporting grains, (cheap) weapons and mercenaries. Also, Russia wants to avoid stepping on China’s toes in Africa, given its dependency on Beijing since it invaded Ukraine.
According to pro-Kremlin propaganda, Ukrainian military and foreign mercenaries raped women and robbed civilians in the Kharkiv region.
