Russia has raised concerns over what it describes as a rapidly evolving conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that the growing use of combat drones and foreign mercenaries is increasing risks to civilians and humanitarian operations.
The concerns were expressed by Anna Evstigneeva, Russia’s acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations, during a United Nations Security Council briefing on the security situation in the region.
She said the nature of the conflict is shifting due to the increased deployment of drones, which she warned is exacerbating civilian casualties and endangering humanitarian actors.
“The military nature of this conflict is clearly changing due to the increasing use of combat drones. Civilians, medical workers, humanitarian staff, and United Nations personnel continue to be affected by these attacks,” she said.
Evstigneeva referenced a drone strike in Goma on March 11, 2026, which reportedly killed a UNICEF staff member, as an example of the growing humanitarian toll linked to the use of unmanned aerial systems in the conflict.
She also expressed concern over reports of foreign mercenaries operating in the conflict, including individuals allegedly with combat experience from the war in Ukraine, who are said to be involved as trainers and drone operators.
“We are concerned about reports of foreign mercenaries, some of whom have experience from the conflict in Ukraine, being deployed as trainers and drone operators in this war,” she said.
Her remarks come amid continued insecurity in eastern DRC, despite ongoing regional peace initiatives, including the Washington agreement between Rwanda and the DRC and the Qatar-led Doha peace process involving the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 coalition.
However, persistent disagreements over implementation between Kinshasa and Kigali continue to stall progress, while mediation efforts have yet to produce a lasting breakthrough toward stability in the region.
