Russia has been accused of turning artificial intelligence into a tool for political influence in Central Africa, with a new report alleging that Russian-linked operatives used Anthropic’s Claude AI to produce and organise pro-Kremlin messaging in the Central African Republic.
The findings were contained in a September 2026 threat-intelligence report released by US-based AI company Anthropic. The company said it detected and disrupted an operation in Bangui in which a Russian-speaking individual used Claude to support a media network linked to Russian influence activities.
The case highlights the growing use of generative AI in political influence campaigns, particularly in regions where competing foreign powers are seeking to strengthen their presence and shape public opinion.
AI Used to Produce Political Content
According to Anthropic, the operator was connected to an influence operation that produced regular material for Radio Lengo Songo, a station broadcasting in the Central African Republic.
The AI system was reportedly used to help generate news and commentary containing favourable references to Russia and the Central African government, while promoting narratives critical of France and opponents of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
Anthropic said the material was designed to appear as though it had been produced locally rather than being part of a foreign-directed campaign. The operator reportedly instructed Claude to remove characteristics that could make the content appear obviously AI-generated.
This approach allowed the operation to combine the speed of AI-generated material with an attempt to maintain the appearance of conventional local journalism.
Radio Station at the Centre of the Operation
Radio Lengo Songo, which broadcasts on 98.9 FM, has previously been identified by investigators as part of Russia’s wider influence network in the Central African Republic.
Anthropic’s investigation, conducted alongside the All Eyes On Wagner research project, linked the station to the Wagner Group, which reportedly established and financed it.
The station’s output was allegedly coordinated with Russian state-linked media organisations, including RT, Sputnik Afrique and TASS, as well as the Russian House in Bangui.
The investigation suggests that the operation was not simply producing isolated social media posts. Instead, it had developed a broader system for creating material, broadcasting it through radio and distributing related messages through online channels.
AI Also Used to Manage Workers
One of the more unusual aspects of the operation was the reported use of Claude for administrative tasks.
Anthropic said the operator used the AI model to create employment contracts, job descriptions and systems for assessing the performance of local workers.
The system was reportedly also used to evaluate staff articles and make recommendations about which employees should remain with the organisation.
Anthropic said that when the AI system identified political criteria in its assessments, the operator attempted to disguise those elements using more neutral language.
This suggests that AI was being used not only to produce propaganda but also to support the management structure behind the media operation.
Monitoring Opposition Figures
The alleged operation also extended into political surveillance.
Anthropic said the actor organised a recurring system for collecting and updating information about political figures opposed to the Central African government.
The activity reportedly involved monitoring opposition personalities and maintaining information that could be used in the wider influence campaign.
The findings raise concerns about how relatively small teams can use AI to automate activities that previously required larger numbers of researchers, writers and administrative staff.
Pro-Russia and Anti-France Messaging
A central feature of the campaign was its political messaging.
According to Anthropic, much of the content supported the Central African government and Russia while promoting the role of Russian security forces and criticising France.
The campaign reflected the broader geopolitical shift taking place in parts of Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Central Africa, where Russian influence has expanded as French military and political influence has declined.
Russia has increasingly sought closer relationships with governments that have become dissatisfied with traditional Western partners. In several countries, Moscow has combined diplomatic engagement, security cooperation and media influence to strengthen its position.
The Central African Republic has been one of Russia’s most important partners in this strategy.
AI Changes the Scale of Influence Campaigns
The allegations demonstrate how artificial intelligence could alter the way political influence campaigns are conducted.
Traditional propaganda operations often require large teams of writers, translators, editors and researchers. AI tools can significantly reduce the time and manpower needed to produce large volumes of content.
Anthropic’s wider investigation found several examples of influence operations in different regions using Claude to create fake social media profiles, generate political material and establish deceptive online news operations. The company said the campaigns originated from or were connected to actors in Russia, Iran, Turkey, Africa and other regions.
The company said it removed accounts associated with the activities and strengthened its systems to detect similar behaviour.
Russia’s Expanding Influence in Africa
The development comes amid growing debate over Moscow’s role in African politics.
In the Central African Republic, Russian security personnel have played an important role in supporting the government, while Russian-linked organisations have developed relationships with local institutions and media outlets.
The use of AI adds a new dimension to that influence.
Instead of relying solely on traditional propaganda channels, actors can now use artificial intelligence to produce large quantities of material, adapt messages for different audiences and automate administrative tasks.
That ability could make it increasingly difficult for audiences to distinguish between genuine local journalism and content produced as part of an organised foreign influence campaign.
Anthropic Says Operation Was Disrupted
Anthropic said it removed the account associated with the Bangui operation after identifying the misuse of Claude.
The company has also said that it shares relevant intelligence with industry partners and authorities when appropriate, while using information gathered from investigations to improve its safeguards.
The case nevertheless raises wider questions about how technology companies can prevent their AI systems from being exploited for political manipulation.
For African countries, the issue is particularly significant as governments and foreign powers compete for influence across a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
The alleged Russian operation in the Central African Republic demonstrates that the contest for influence is no longer confined to diplomatic meetings, military cooperation or traditional media.
Artificial intelligence is becoming another battlefield in the struggle to shape public opinion.
As AI systems become more capable, governments, technology companies and civil society groups are likely to face growing pressure to identify campaigns that use automated tools to disguise foreign-sponsored political messaging as authentic local voices.
