The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has obtained official state registration in the Republic of the Congo. In practice, ROC parishes have already been operating there since March.

As of 2026, the ROC’s Patriarchal Exarchate operates in 36 African countries.

Serhiy Shumylo, Executive Director of Libertas Fidei, commented on the situation.

“Looking at Africa, we can see how the Kremlin regime is actively seeking to use Russian Orthodox Church structures around the world to strengthen its influence and spread pro-Russian propaganda. The close cooperation between ROC representatives and the Wagner Group, a terrorist mercenary organisation, along with the deliberate fostering of a church schism and the establishment of ROC structures in Africa with the group’s assistance, only confirms that the Moscow Patriarchate is becoming not merely an accomplice in the Kremlin’s terrorist activities, but an integral part of them,” the religious studies scholar said.

“Through ROC structures in Africa, recruited priests receive salaries, while these structures are financed in part through the Wagner Group. All of this demonstrates the scale of the network that the Kremlin regime is attempting to expand worldwide under the guise of ‘church activities’.”