All articles tagged with #private military contractors
The article argues that American private military contractors like UG Solutions operating in Gaza are effectively mercenaries, engaging in combat-like activities for personal gain and working for foreign entities, raising concerns about the ethical and legal implications of their involvement in conflict zones.
Haiti has contracted Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, to lead a secret military effort against gangs, including drone strikes and potential mercenary deployment, amid a worsening security crisis and limited police capacity.
Following the death of Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, a mercenary force led by Russian military intelligence, Redut, is expected to fill the void left by the group. Redut, controlled by Russian intelligence, is likely to take over Wagner's missions and business assets. Other private Russian security firms, including Convoy, Fakel, and Potok, are also vying for the opportunity. Prigozhin's death has led to a recruitment drive by Redut, with former Wagner leaders joining their ranks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a decree requiring all employees of Wagner and other Russian private military contractors to swear allegiance to the Russian state. The decree applies to those involved in military activities in Ukraine and serving in territorial defense units. This move comes after the presumed deaths of Wagner leaders in a plane crash and is seen as an attempt by Putin to reassert control over the group. Analysts suggest that the decree aims to prevent future crises and tighten control over Wagner. The oath includes a promise to strictly follow commanders' orders and is seen as a message to both military intelligence and the fighters themselves. The impact of the decree on Wagner fighters, who currently lack an obvious leader, remains uncertain.
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered the Wagner mercenaries the option to continue serving as a single unit under the same commander, known as Gray Hair, following their abortive revolt last month. Putin discussed their actions in Ukraine and offered various alternatives for future service during a meeting attended by 35 Wagner commanders, including the group's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin. However, Prigozhin quickly rejected the proposal. Putin also mentioned that Wagner has operated without a legal basis, as there is no law on private military organizations in Russia. The disarming of Wagner reflects Russian authorities' efforts to defuse the threat they posed and may signal an end to the group's operations in Ukraine.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that the Wagner Group's operations in Mali and the Central African Republic will continue despite the failed rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the mercenaries, against Russian President Vladimir Putin. The paramilitary group is seen by Western governments as Russia's armed foreign policy apparatus. Wagner offers its services and help to prop up anti-Western governments in exchange for access to natural resources. The group exercises influence in the Central African Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, a private military contractor made up of convicted Russian criminals, has become the tip of the spear for Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Prigozhin, who has a complex history and ambitions, has transformed himself from Putin's chef to a warlord, using social media to accelerate his brand and appeal to new recruits with ultranationalist propaganda. The Wagner Group serves as Russia's military proxy in far-flung areas of the world and has links to conflicts in Africa. Despite his audacious outbursts against the Kremlin elite, Prigozhin's power only exists at the mercy of Putin.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russian private military contractor Wagner, claimed that his forces are handing over control of Bakhmut to the Russian military. However, it is not possible to independently verify this claim. Meanwhile, Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian occupation forces is already underway, according to a top presidential advisor. In other news, Russia has expelled five Swedish diplomats and announced the closure of its consulate in Göteborg in response to Sweden's decision to declare five Russian foreign mission employees "personae non grata."
The head of Russia's private Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has accused Moscow's conventional army of "fleeing" from its positions near the eastern Ukraine hotspot town of Bakhmut. He claimed that Ukrainian forces had captured positions at a reservoir and on tactical heights around Bakhmut. Prigozhin has repeatedly claimed that the Russian Defense Ministry was refusing to deliver ammunition and has accused its chiefs in vitriolic statements.
Andrey Medvedev, a former contractor of the Wagner Group, has been sentenced to 14 days in jail for disorderly conduct and carrying an air gun in a public place by a court in Norway. Medvedev, who is seeking asylum in Norway, was acquitted of committing violence against police officers during his arrest. He fled to Norway earlier this year and has said he would fear for his life if he were sent back to Russia. Medvedev said he was willing to testify about any possible war crimes he witnessed, though he denied participating in any himself.
A former contractor of the Wagner Group, a private Russian military company, has been sentenced to 14 days in jail in Norway for disorderly conduct and carrying an air gun in public. Andrey Medvedev, who is seeking asylum in Norway, was acquitted of committing violence against police officers during his arrest. Medvedev fled to Norway earlier this year and has said he would fear for his life if sent back to Russia. He has offered to testify about any possible war crimes he witnessed while working for the Wagner Group.
Andrey Medvedev, a former member of the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group, has admitted charges of resisting arrest after a bar brawl and carrying an air gun in Norway. He has pleaded guilty to the charges and fears for his life if he returns to Russia. Medvedev is seeking asylum in Norway and is willing to testify about any war crimes he witnessed while working for the Wagner Group.
Russian ground troops are struggling to capture the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut due to lack of air support, but Russian aircraft, some flown by private military contractor Wagner, are being used sparingly and often at night to test Ukraine's defenses. Russian pilots are flying at night to avoid Ukrainian man-portable air-defense systems. Russia may also be probing to see if Ukraine still has enough radar-guided anti-aircraft missiles.