Balance of Power

Russia Resorts to Religion for Sway in Africa

Lacking the money of geopolitical rivals such as China and the US, Moscow deploys the church.
The Cathedral of St. Sergius of Radonezh north of Johannesburg.Photographer: Cebisile Mbonani/Bloomberg

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Russia, battling for global influence as its four-year war against Ukraine grinds on, has turned to God to boost its sway.