All articles tagged with #paramilitary group
Over 8 million people have been displaced in Sudan due to a year-long conflict between a powerful paramilitary group and the Sudanese army, with the situation being largely overlooked by the world.
The Freedom of Russia Legion, a Ukrainian-based paramilitary group opposing President Vladimir Putin, claimed responsibility for a cross-border attack into Russia's Belgorod region, stating that they destroyed a platoon stronghold of Russian troops near Trebreno village. The group, designated as terrorists in Russia, left mines behind but did not specify casualties. The claims could not be verified, and Ukraine has denied involvement in previous attacks by the group. The governor of Belgorod region reported ongoing clashes with Ukrainian forces, resulting in damage to houses and power lines.
The head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, announced that the Wagner paramilitary group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, will no longer participate in hostilities in Ukraine. Wagner, known as the most effective Russian unit, has been involved in some of the bloodiest fighting during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The group is currently in disarray after Prigozhin's failed insurrection attempt, which led to his exile in Belarus. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently admitted that the Kremlin funded the Wagner Group.
CNN military analyst Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) comments on the ongoing power struggle between the Russian military and the Wagner paramilitary group, calling out the "losers" in the conflict. He notes that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the man behind Wagner, is "all over the place" and that the situation is a "deadly fight, but also a reality show."
The "Freedom of Russia Legion," an anti-Kremlin, pro-Ukraine paramilitary group, is reportedly recruiting "thousands" and planning to continue raiding Russian border regions until it has enough troops to attack Moscow. The group claimed responsibility for the cross-border attack on Russia's Belgorod last week. The commander of the group said they have serious capabilities, including mortars, armored vehicles, stinger manpads, portable anti-tank systems, and a highly effective drone reconnaissance unit. The group is expanding and has a steady flow of incoming recruits. The group's primary long-term objective is to liberate Crimea and strike a devastating blow against Moscow.
The head of Russian paramilitary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has called for Chechen units to replace Wagner forces in the battle for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Prigozhin threatened to pull the mercenary force out of Bakhmut due to a breakdown in relations with the Russian government. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has offered to take over the position, and Prigozhin has agreed that the Akhmat battalion will "no doubt" take Bakhmut.
The United Nations' World Food Program has suspended operations in Sudan after three aid workers were killed during violent clashes between the country's army and a powerful paramilitary group. At least 61 civilians have been killed and hundreds of others wounded over the past 48 hours. The UN has called for an immediate end to hostilities and condemned the slaying of aid workers, stating that international aid workers are "not a target." The US Embassy in Sudan has issued a shelter-in-place notice for staff in the capital of Khartoum.