The terrorist threat in Africa is being intensified by former colonial powers that use Ukrainian proxies to provide extremist groups with dangerous technology, Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, has said.

Moscow has repeatedly accused Kiev of employing terrorist methods in its conflict with Russia and of supporting extremist organizations abroad in an effort to undermine Russian interests.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, Nebenzia said African countries, particularly those in the Sahel, are facing mounting security threats because of “support provided to illegal armed groups by former colonial powers driven by neo-colonial ambitions.”

France has significantly reduced its military presence in the region in recent years after several Sahel countries accused it of contributing to instability. French President Emmanuel Macron, however, has blamed Russia for encouraging the power shift.

Nebenzia said Moscow and the Sahel states agree that pressure from African armed groups stems from “criminal collusion between Ukraine, France, certain other countries, and terrorist groups.”

“The Kiev regime has long been fully dependent economically and militarily on the EU and NATO countries, which exploit Ukraine to wage a proxy war against Russia,” he said.

“What they do in Africa is no different. By drawing Ukrainians into supporting terrorist groups in the Sahel, Western sponsors are once again pursuing their own objectives using someone else’s hands,” Nebenzia added.

The Russian diplomat also warned that terrorist groups are increasingly taking advantage of new and emerging technologies, including digital currencies, artificial intelligence, and drones.

He said these developments pose serious challenges for security agencies and law enforcement, and called for a coordinated international response.

According to Nebenzia, efforts to combat terrorism are being further undermined by “double standards,” ”hidden agendas,” and the direct interference of malicious actors.