Asger Risom
Russian-linked networks are using video games and online communities to recruit fighters, spread propaganda and gather intelligence, opening a new front in modern conflict.
Video games are no longer just entertainment — they are becoming tools of influence, recruitment and even warfare.
New reporting suggests Russian-linked networks are exploiting gaming platforms to target young players, particularly in Africa and other regions.
Recruitment through games
Since 2022, Russia has recruited more than 18,000 foreign nationals from 128 countries through a mix of online and offline channels, including social media, messaging apps and video games, according to United24 Media.
Recruitment can begin in seemingly ordinary gaming environments such as Discord chats or multiplayer sessions. And they might even target children.
In one case, two young men from South Africa were recruited while playing the military simulation game Arma 3. They were promised money, citizenship and education before traveling to Russia. Within weeks of signing a contract, one of them was killed in combat in Ukraine, United24 Media reported.
Gaming as propaganda
Beyond direct recruitment, gaming content is being used to shape perceptions and narratives.
Mods for strategy games like Hearts of Iron IV — including projects such as African Dawn — present Russia as a “liberator” from colonialism, while portraying Western countries as hostile forces.
These narratives are reinforced through influencers and streamers who promote pro-Russian viewpoints and integrate them into gameplay scenarios.
“Games are the most effective way to communicate with youth in Africa,” creators of one such mod said.
How the system works
Modern video games function as social ecosystems, where players communicate, form communities and build trust over time.
According to United24 Media, this environment allows operators to observe behavior patterns — not just performance, but decision-making, risk-taking and reactions under pressure.
This data can be used to identify individuals who may be more susceptible to influence or recruitment.
Over time, tasks within games or communities can become more complex, filtering out less engaged participants and identifying those most willing to act.
Emotional leverage
Games are particularly effective because of their psychological impact.
Reward systems, competition and social recognition create strong emotional engagement, especially among younger players.
Success within a game can build confidence and reinforce behavior, making it easier to transfer attitudes from virtual environments into real-world actions.
With millions of players globally, the potential reach of such strategies is significant.
The role of influencers
Streamers and online personalities play a key role in amplifying these efforts.
One example highlighted by United24 Media is Grigory Korolyov, known online as “GrishaPutin,” who promotes pro-Russian narratives across platforms including Twitch and YouTube.
His content reportedly includes fundraising for Russian military needs, with viewers able to pay for messages placed on weapons or for footage of their use.
In some streams, game scenarios simulate future conflicts in Europe, reinforcing narratives of Western weakness.
From games to real-world impact
The line between virtual and real-world action can become blurred.
By linking in-game engagement with real-world consequences, participants are no longer passive observers.
This can lower psychological barriers to violence and create a sense of participation in real conflicts.
Intelligence gathering through games
The use of gaming platforms extends beyond recruitment and propaganda.
Ukraine’s Security Service has reported cases where mobile games were used to collect geolocation data and images of critical infrastructure, according to Ukrinform.
Players, including children, were encouraged through game mechanics to photograph locations and upload them as part of in-game tasks.
According to Ukrainian authorities, this data could then be used to improve targeting for military strikes.
A broader strategy
Experts say these activities are part of a wider trend: the “gamification” of warfare and influence operations, as also reported by Kyiv Post.
Gaming platforms provide access to large, engaged audiences and allow narratives to be introduced gradually over time.
The approach blends entertainment, social interaction and political messaging, making it harder to detect and counter.
Growing risks
As gaming communities continue to expand, they offer new avenues for influence, recruitment and intelligence gathering.
For regions facing economic or social pressures, the mix of financial incentives, identity and narrative can be particularly powerful.
What was once seen as harmless entertainment is increasingly becoming a space where real-world conflicts begin.
Sources: United24 Media, Ukrinform, Kyiv Post
