•  
  •  

Home > Open Access Journals > JSS > Vol. 19 > No. 1 (2026)

 

Author Biography

Stanislav Vasyliuk is a Ukrainian researcher currently working as a Teaching Assistant at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. He is a candidate in the Master of Advanced International Studies program at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and earned a Bachelor of Management with distinction from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Previously, Vasyliuk has held positions as a Public and Government Affairs intern at Navigator Ltd and as a constituency assistant at the Alberta Legislative Assembly. He has actively volunteered with Ukrainian aid organizations and coordinated cultural awareness initiatives. A native Ukrainian, Vasyliuk is also highly proficient in English, Polish, and Russian.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.19.1.2610

Subject Area Keywords

Africa, Information operations, Russia, Strategic communications

Abstract

In the new era of technology and digitalization, the internet has become a new battleground where states are able to exercise their power and employ various tools to achieve foreign policy objectives. While this creates a possibility to improve the communication between the public and the government, it also opens a door for bad actors to pursue their agenda through fake news and disinformation. Russia has long been at the forefront of utilizing both in-person and digital spaces for propaganda efforts. The Sahel region of Africa presents possibly one of the most successful stories in the Kremlin’s recent track record. By using various channels of communication, such as Russian and local news outlets, social media groups, and domestic public figures, Russia created a diverse media network that cut deep into the local communities. Such growth of Russian popularity points to the need for a deeper analysis of the tools utilized by Kremlin strategists. This article aims to assess the scale, methods, and impacts of Russian propaganda engagement in the Sahel, drawing on Mali as a primary example.

Download

Share

COinS