“I cleaned old guns myself, looked for bulletproof vests and started recruiting experts who could help me with this. From that moment on, on May 1, 2014, a group of patriots was born and that happened later. they would call wagner group“. This was the basis of the group, according to the ousted leader of the group, Yevgeny Prigozhin. For years its mere existence was one of those secrets that no one dared to speak out loud: “Putin’s cook” sued anyone who linked him to it – as in the independent Russian media – and there was no such group publicly.
As independent analyst Kamil Galeev noted on social networks, Wagner’s standard officer, military experience from whom regular forces for misconduct, committing a crime or “being out of place” and taking advantage of a mercenary group second chance. To recruit more soldiers, they took advantage of the Russian power’s authority to recruit soldiers in Russian prisons.
Thanks for applying prison populationNational Security Council, Wagner 80% of your troops. Prigozhin, the formation of 50,000 soldiers. The Russian army is estimated to have around 800,000 active soldiers. In addition to convicts, recruitment posters were hung in tents and other public places in many Russian cities throughout 2023. Authorities in several cities withdrew these ads last Saturday after Russian power’s pedestal fell due to Wagner’s armed rebellion. This ended with Prigozhin in Belarus, after the mediation of the Belarusian leader. Alexander Lukashenko and his organization remained headless.
serving in Ukraine
In 2022, when they become one great actor for Russian offensive Ukraine, They decided to stop being incognito and acknowledge their existence. His men put their body and blood to conquer Ukrainian cities and defend parts of Ukraine that were under Russian control before 2022, such as the Donbass. They registered as a company in Russia and even opened a company. Headquarters in Saint Petersburgsecond city in the country.
Previously, they already had a significant presence in the neighboring country Russia and were a very important support for Russia. Pro-Russian rebels from Donetsk and Lugansk. Made up of residents of these eastern parts of Ukraine and with the prudent but tacit support of Moscow, these militias are fighting against the Ukrainian army. since 2014.
More recently, its role in the conquest of cities in the Donbass was vital for Moscow, especially in the long-awaited war. bakhmut – Artiomovsk for Russia -. According to the data obtained from the organization itself, 20,000 soldiers He died in Ukraine last year. Prigozhin blamed the Ministry for poor logistics and lack of weapons, factors that he blamed for so many casualties in his ranks. German intelligence cited them as the culprits of massacres like those in Bucha.
worldwide
Wagner had a significant presence beyond Ukraine wherever there was Russian interest, particularly in Russia. Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Its role has been particularly important. Syria, Libya and the Central African Republic, where they assist like-minded leaders like autocrat Bashar al-Assad – the Syrian president – or the Central African ruling party. Their role is not exempt from controversy, as they are accused of plundering resources such as wood, metal and other raw materials from the countries where they work. They have also been accused of killing and maiming civilians in Syria – where they reportedly beheaded a civilian – or in the Central African Republic – they reportedly opened fire on civilians. Other countries where they have performed Madagascar, Venezuelan and Financial There are also suspicions that they exist in countries such as Belarus, DR Congo or Angola, among others, although this has not been proven.
Participation in regions with Russian interests earned them a place in Russia. official propaganda. State channel RT told them “Contract with country, first published in 2022, was introduced with the phrase “Perhaps the only unanimously accepted certainty about the Wagner Group is its combat effectiveness.” According to the movie’s director, Denis Neymand, the movie “Granite” also puts them in a good spot, though he doesn’t mention their names, because “it doesn’t matter what company is operating there. Film, russians helping africans against evil forces”. The plot takes place in Mozambique, where mercenaries fight against Islamic rebels. In real life, Wagner was also operating in that African country.