The Controversial Rise of Russia's Wagner Group.
The war in Ukraine has led to the expansion of private military companies (PMCs) in Russia, with the Wagner Group being the largest and most prominent. The group has grown tenfold since before the war, with 50,000 men in Wagner uniforms. The war has also led to the founding of new PMCs, with some reportedly being established by Gazprom and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. The proliferation of PMCs could lead to dangerous rivalries and undermine Russia's national security. PMCs have also been accused of committing atrocities in Africa, Syria, and Ukraine.