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Russian Mercenaries

All articles tagged with #russian mercenaries

militaryinternational-relations2 years ago

"Russian Mercenary Group's Recruitment Tactics Raise Concerns for National Security"

Russian private military company Redut, believed to be financed and supervised by Russia's military intelligence (GRU), is recruiting mercenaries, including former fighters from the Wagner Group, under the guise of "volunteers." Redut has been involved in combat in various regions of Ukraine since February 2022. The practice of recruiting through "volunteer" units has allowed Russia to avoid unpopular mobilization. Redut, established by Putin-linked oligarch Gennady Timchenko, is reported to have over 7,000 personnel. Wagner, previously active in Ukraine and Syria, was financed by the Kremlin with $1 billion in the past year alone.

politics2 years ago

The Kremlin's Silence: Prigozhin's Mysterious Death and Legacy

A month after the suspicious plane crash that killed Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Group, the Kremlin remains silent on the incident and his legacy. The Russian military leaders he tried to overthrow are still in power, and President Vladimir Putin appears as strong as ever. Prigozhin's funeral was conducted under tight security and secrecy, and makeshift memorials for him have been quietly removed by authorities. The Kremlin is now seeking to take control of the Wagner Group's personnel and assets, particularly in Africa, while maintaining a hybrid model that allows some mercenaries to operate autonomously. The investigation into the plane crash has not yielded any results, and Western officials suspect foul play.

international-affairs2 years ago

Ukraine's Special Services Suspected of Attacking Wagner-backed Forces in Sudan

Ukrainian special services are likely responsible for a series of drone strikes and a ground operation against a Wagner-backed militia in Sudan, according to a Ukrainian military source. The attacks targeted the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group receiving assistance from Wagner in its fight against the Sudanese army. Video footage obtained by CNN showed the hallmarks of Ukrainian-style drone attacks, including the use of commercially available drones widely used by Ukrainians. Covert strikes by Ukraine in Sudan would mark a significant expansion of the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow.

international-affairs2 years ago

The Future of Wagner Group: Mercenary Fighters and Prigozhin's Successor

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.

international-affairs2 years ago

"Wagner Group Leader Breaks Silence in Africa After Failed Mutiny"

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, has posted his first video since a failed mutiny in June, hinting that he is in Africa. The video, which shows Prigozhin in a desert area with armed men and a pickup truck in the distance, suggests that Wagner could expand its operations in Africa. This has raised concerns among Western countries, particularly after a coup in Niger that has taken on anti-Western overtones. Wagner is already present in Mali and the Central African Republic, and there are suspicions of its presence in Sudan.

international-politics2 years ago

Niger's Coup Leaders Seek Assistance from Russian Group Wagner

The military leaders of Niger have reportedly sought assistance from the Russian mercenary group Wagner in response to a potential military intervention by the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS. The request was made during a visit by coup leader General Salifou Mody to Mali, according to sources. The junta faces a deadline to release and reinstate the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, set by ECOWAS. France's foreign affairs minister has stated that the threat of intervention by ECOWAS is credible. Niger has been considered a reliable counterterrorism partner in the region.

international-affairs2 years ago

Unveiling Wagner Group's Activities and Presence in Africa

Questions remain about the future of the Wagner Group following the failed mutiny in Russia, as Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has not been seen since agreeing to halt the rebellion. Satellite images suggest newly built military bases in Belarus that could house Wagner mercenaries. The US has imposed sanctions on gold companies suspected of funding the group's activities in Africa, where thousands of Wagner fighters have been deployed since 2017. Wagner troops may continue to remain in Africa, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The group's presence in Africa is most significant in the Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan, and Libya, where they support Russian foreign policy interests and engage in the gold trade.

international-relations2 years ago

Russian Lawmaker Announces Wagner Group's Withdrawal from Ukraine as Prigozhin's Jet Makes Second Landing in Belarus

The Russian mercenary group, Wagner, will no longer fight in Ukraine after its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, refused to sign contracts to bring the group under the control of the Russian defense ministry. Colonel General Andrei Kartapolov, an influential Russian lawmaker, stated that Wagner will no longer receive funding from the state. Prigozhin's attempted mutiny ended with him seeking refuge in Belarus, facilitated by Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko. Ukraine's defense intelligence chief has claimed that Russia's secret service, the FSB, has been assigned the task of killing Prigozhin.

military2 years ago

Wagner Base in Belarus Raises Concerns for NATO and Poland

Satellite images indicate the rapid construction of new facilities at a military base near Minsk, Belarus, potentially for the Russian mercenary company Wagner. The images captured by the European Space Agency's satellites show rows of structures in a previously empty field. The nature of the construction remains unverified. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko invited Wagner to establish operations in the country following an abortive mutiny. Russian President Vladimir Putin has given Wagner fighters the option to move to Belarus, join the Russian military, or return home.

The Global Impact of Wagner's Mutiny: From Africa to the Middle East

The future of the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, in Africa is uncertain following a mutiny by its mercenaries in the Central African Republic. The mutiny, which resulted in the deaths of three Russian soldiers, has raised questions about the effectiveness and loyalty of the Wagner Group, as well as the security risks associated with their presence in African countries.

international-affairs2 years ago

Russian mercenaries expand influence in Africa through military operations and resource exploitation.

Russian mercenary group Wagner Group, known for its involvement in the war in Ukraine, has gained direct access to the natural resources of the Central African Republic in exchange for its military assistance to the country's government. The group has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including executions, rapes, and torture. Despite these accusations, Wagner's presence in Africa has doubled down and expanded into other countries. The group has been accused of violently seizing control of the Ndassima gold mine and developing it into a large-scale operation with the potential to net the group hundreds of millions of dollars in profits.

Wagner Reports 20,000 Troop Fatalities in Bakhmut Battle.

Russian private military company Wagner claims that 20,000 of its troops have died while taking control of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, which has been under Ukrainian government control since 2014. The claim has not been independently verified, but it highlights the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists in the region.

war-crimes2 years ago

Former Wagner Mercenaries Confess to Killing Children and Civilians in Ukraine

A former Russian convict recruited by Wagner last September, Alexey Savichev, has admitted to killing and torturing dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war during his six months of fighting in eastern Ukraine. He participated in summary executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war and killed “several dozen” injured Ukrainian PoWs by “tossing grenades” into the ditch where they were held. Savichev’s account was first published on Monday by the Gulagu.net rights group in an hour and 17-minute-long video. His testimony appears to contribute towards a mounting body of evidence that sheds light on the war crimes committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

world-news2 years ago

Deadly Attack on Chinese Mine Leaves Multiple Casualties.

Gunmen attacked a Chinese-operated gold mine in the Central African Republic, killing nine Chinese nationals. The Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) is suspected of the attack, but the group's military spokesman denied the allegations and blamed Russian mercenaries. The attack came just days after the kidnapping of three Chinese nationals in the country's west. The Central African Republic remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with dozens of rebel groups operating with impunity over the past decade.

world-news2 years ago

Wagner Group's Recruitment Tactics Under Scrutiny Amid Russian War Efforts

Pornhub has removed Wagner Group advertisements that sought to encourage people to join its Russian mercenaries fighting in Ukraine. The website does not allow any politically related advertisements. The Wagner Group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been heavily involved in the fighting since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. Prigozhin was previously believed to be a strong ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but there have been reports of tensions between the two.