"The Future of Russian Mercenaries: Beyond Wagner"

The future of Russia's Wagner Group, the country's largest private military company, is uncertain following the death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane crash. Observers believe that the battle-tested fighters of Wagner are too valuable to be disbanded, and they are likely to be absorbed by Russia's military, intelligence services, state-run corporations, and other private military companies financed by Kremlin allies or oligarchs. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko may also seek to benefit from the remnants of Wagner. However, it is unlikely that any new structure will be able to replicate the unique combination of business acumen and charisma that Prigozhin brought to Wagner. Other private military companies in Russia, funded by corporations and oligarchs, are expected to fill the void left by Wagner's demise.