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In bombastic propaganda films, the enigmatic Russian political operative Maxim Shugalei is portrayed as a heroic figure who will stop at nothing to promote his country abroad.
While his adventures may be exaggerated, in reality he has played a significant role in expanding Russia’s influence in parts of Africa, collaborating with the Wagner Group of Russian mercenaries.
However, this self-proclaimed iron man recently faced a setback when he was arrested in Chad, along with fellow Russian operatives Samer Sueifan and E Tsaryov, on unspecified charges. They were released and sent back to Russia earlier this month, as confirmed by the Russian embassy.
Who is Maxim Shugalei?
Although Shugalei claims to be a “sociologist,” analysts believe he is actually a spin doctor and a Russian influence agent known for his activities in Africa.
He has been under EU sanctions since 2023 for orchestrating disinformation campaigns to promote the Wagner Group in various African nations, and is also subject to Ukrainian sanctions.
Shugalei has been associated with the late Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin since at least 2010, who is the head of the Wagner Group and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin.
Despite initially denying these ties, Shugalei gained attention in the media for his work and subsequent arrest in Libya on charges of espionage and election interference on behalf of Prigozhin.
Upon his return to Russia, Prigozhin disclosed that he had given Shugalei 18 million rubles ($173,000; £138,000) – 1 million rubles for each month spent in captivity.
It is difficult to determine the extent of Shugalei’s influence [Getty Images]
Shugalei’s exploits in Libya inspired a trilogy of action TV films, seemingly sponsored by Prigozhin. They were created to promote the regime of Khalifa Haftar in eastern Libya and downplay Russia’s actions in Africa. The character of Shugalei, portrayed by actor Kirill Polukhin, is depicted as a resilient and skilled individual in the films, resembling a James Bond or Mission Impossible character, according to Ladd Serwat, an Africa Regional Specialist at Acled. Despite claims that “Shugalei” has become an Arabic term for a strong and unbreakable man, his real-life activities have been involved in questionable actions, such as offering cash to presidential candidates in Madagascar. Shugalei, associated with the Foundation for the Protection of National Values, worked in various African nations to support Wagner-friendly regimes, aiming to expand Russia’s influence on the continent. Despite the demise of Yevgeny Prigozhin and the dissolution of his media empire, Shugalei’s influence remains uncertain but possibly intact. He continues to honor Prigozhin and Wagner on his Telegram channel, indicating his ongoing ties to them. His recent activities, including an arrest in Chad and a trip to Angola, suggest that his operations are still active but largely undisclosed. The reasons for his arrest in Chad are unclear, with speculations ranging from French involvement to Chad’s strategic balancing act between Russia and the West. The incident highlights the power struggle in Chad and the broader Sahel region between Russia and Western powers, with potential consequences for regional stability.