Russia uses AI-generated ads on Meta and Google to recruit foreign fighters for Ukraine war
Researchers from Code for Africa documented a Russian recruitment operation using AI-generated images and advertisements on Meta and Google platforms to recruit foreign fighters from Africa, Asia, and Belarus for the war in Ukraine. The operation used deceptive job advertisements offering high salaries and created over 89 websites, 7 social media accounts, and 39 messenger accounts to target unemployed young men.
What happened
Code for Africa, an African nonprofit network of digital democracy labs, documented a Russian online recruitment operation targeting young men from Africa, Asia, and Belarus for the war in Ukraine. Researchers identified 89 websites, 7 social media accounts including on Facebook, and 39 messenger accounts or channels used in the operation.
The operation used AI-generated images in advertisements, including one showing AI-generated images of Black men in military uniforms placed on a Facebook page based in Germany and labeled as a 'global casting' for a film project with shooting in 2025. Another advertisement sponsored by 'IRC Russian Bear' offered $15,000 immediately upon contract signing and $3,000 monthly salary.
Reported impact
The recruitment targeted unemployed or underemployed young men in poor labor markets with salary offers significantly higher than they could earn in their home countries. Advertisements rarely mentioned war, instead presenting opportunities in construction, security, film roles, or Russian visa assistance.
Meta removed over 300 advertising campaigns linked to the recruiters according to Code for Africa director Justin Arensztein. Google's EMEA spokesman Alex McPhillips disputed claims that most referenced sites used Google ads and said the company was 'actively reviewing' the report.
Index analysis
The investigation documents a large-scale online recruitment operation using tools from major Western technology platforms. New websites and pages appeared daily, and many sites did not hide their activity despite remaining online, revealing gaps in platform moderation.
Governance controls
Meta removed over 300 advertising campaigns linked to the recruiters. Google stated it was 'actively reviewing' Code for Africa's report but disputed that most referenced sites used its advertising platform.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.