Russian intelligence officer suspected of entering African Union residence

An investigation by The Insider alleges that a Russian military intelligence officer, identified via facial recognition as Major Aleksandr Dubikov, gained unauthorized entry into the Africa House residence in Addis Ababa on April 28, 2025.

The residence was being used by African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and his family at the time. According to reports, Dubikov—an assistant to Russia’s military attaché in Ethiopia—entered the premises by following a vehicle carrying Youssouf’s daughter through a security gate. He reportedly spent over four minutes inside the building, entering the bedroom where Youssouf was staying, before being stopped by guards.

The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the security vulnerabilities of Africa’s top diplomatic institutions and the extent of Russian GRU intelligence activities on the continent.