Ukraine Denies Supporting AFC/M23 and Accuses Russia of Spreading Disinformation

Kyiv, July 12, 2026 - Ukraine has rejected accusations from Russia alleging that Kyiv supports the AFC/M23 rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, describing the claims as unfounded and part of what it called a broader disinformation campaign. The reaction came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during a working visit to Bujumbura, Burundi, on Saturday, July 11, accused Ukraine of being among the foreign actors allegedly supporting the armed movement controlling parts of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi dismissed the allegations, stating that they were not supported by any evidence and categorically denying any involvement by Kyiv in supporting AFC/M23. According to the Ukrainian diplomat, his country does not seek to interfere in African conflicts and remains focused on its own security challenges. He instead accused Russia of pursuing destabilizing policies on the African continent. Heorhii Tykhyi further claimed that Moscow was attempting to attribute to others actions that Ukraine says are linked to Russian activities abroad, including support for armed groups and recruitment of foreign nationals in conflicts. Kyiv also argued that the accusations were politically motivated and intended to weaken international diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis in the Great Lakes region. The Ukrainian government said Russia’s objective was to undermine United States-led mediation efforts and shift attention away from what it described as Moscow’s own role in international conflicts. The exchange comes as eastern DRC remains trapped in a prolonged security crisis despite ongoing diplomatic initiatives, including the Washington Agreement and the Doha peace process. Relations between Kinshasa and Kigali remain tense, with both sides offering different interpretations of existing commitments. The Doha negotiations, supported by Qatar, have also struggled to achieve major breakthroughs, with disagreements persisting between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 movement, which Kinshasa accuses of being backed by Rwanda. Regional and international actors continue to call on all parties to respect their commitments and support peace efforts. However, the gap between diplomatic agreements and the realities on the ground remains significant, as fighting continues and each side maintains its own interpretation of the ongoing negotiations.