The Akhmat special forces unit expanded its ranks with two additional detachments consisting of former fighters from the Wagner PMC, bringing the total number of such personnel to over a thousand. This information came from TASS, quoting Apti Alaudinov, who serves as the deputy commander of the 2nd Army Corps and leads the Akhmat special forces.
“I want to point out that two more detachments joined Akhmat independently and signed agreements with the Ministry of Defense. It turned out that these were three complete detachments of Wagner PMC veterans,” Alaudinov stated.
According to the Akhmat commander, the first newly formed detachment comprises 680 personnel, while the second detachment includes 380 personnel. Alaudinov added that every one of them chose to serve with Akhmat because the special forces show soldiers a level of respect and consideration that they valued highly after years of service.
The integration of a Wagner-trained detachment into Akhmat was first publicly acknowledged in early November 2023. The unit, referred to at the time as the “Tuning Fork,” consisted of armored crews, gunners, assault aviation specialists, and commanders who had previously been part of the private military company, and their transfer marked a notable shift in the operational composition of Akhmat’s forces.
Additional context surrounding this development includes ongoing discussions in the State Duma regarding the current status of the Wagner group. These discussions reflect the broader changes in how paramilitary formations are organized and overseen within the country, as well as continuing questions about the legal and strategic implications of integrating former private military company personnel into established military units. Analysts have highlighted that such moves could influence unit cohesion, command structures, and the overall balance of force within the region. Observers note that the consolidation of veteran Wagner personnel into Akhmat may alter the dynamics of frontline operations, training pipelines, and mission planning, while also signaling a broader shift in how labor and expertise from different armed groups are mobilized in contemporary security environments.