Head of the Wagner group resurfaces with claims of Africa expansion
Evgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian mercenary organization known as the Wagner group, appeared on video for the first time since the failed insurrection against the Kremlin on June 24. In the clip, he asserts that he has returned to Africa to help “make Russia bigger on every continent,” a statement that underscores how the group intends to sustain its overseas footprint even after the rebellion and the political upheaval that followed.
In the recording circulated by Telegram channels close to the Russian militia, Prigozhin emphasizes that “The Wagner group is making Russia bigger on all continents and liberating Africa even more.” The message blends nationalistic rhetoric with assertions about influence, positioning the organization as a tool to advance Russian interests through military and paramilitary activity abroad. The emphasis on Africa follows prior public commitments by Wagner to extend its presence across multiple regions where it argues it can deliver security, influence, or capability building for allied governments.
During the video, Prigozhin does not explicitly confirm his physical location in Africa, but the setting resembles an African savannah landscape, and he remarks that the surrounding temperatures reach around 50 degrees. The imagery appears designed to reinforce the impression of a continued operational focus on the continent, even as other strategic questions hang over the group’s status and future leadership arrangements following the earlier unrest.
He then declares, in his distinctive manner, that “justice and happiness for the peoples of Africa” are the Wagner group’s goals. He frames the organization’s actions as a counterweight to what he calls the “nightmare” threats posed by extremist groups such as Islamic State and al-Qaeda, portraying Wagner as a bulwark against Islamist violence while also presenting itself as an agent of stability from his perspective. The narrative is crafted to project competence and commitment, even as regional dynamics remain volatile and contested by international actors with divergent interests.
Prigozhin goes on to reiterate that Wagner continues to recruit “true heroes” and to fulfill assigned tasks, signaling that the group remains active despite earlier statements about winding down operations in certain theaters. This assertion aligns with a broader strategy often attributed to the organization: to maintain a ready pool of fighters and a flexible command structure capable of rapid deployment to different theaters if and when Moscow calls for it. The timing of the remarks, given the prior announcements about halting recruitment in Ukraine, invites scrutiny about the group’s official status and the real extent of its current commitments.
Amid these claims, Prigozhin also assures that when the Motherland requires, Wagnerians—who were once the main Russian offensive force in Ukraine—would ready themselves to form an “additional unit” to defend national interests. The statement underscores the group’s purported readiness to mobilize again in support of Russia’s strategic objectives, even as the Kremlin prioritizes its own channels for military planning and public messaging. The idea of an “additional unit” suggests a modular approach to Russia’s external operations, one in which Wagner can be called upon to supplement official forces if required.
Moreover, Prigozhin emphasizes that Wagner’s activities abroad, including in Africa, will continue. He notes that the group remains operable and capable of expanding its footprint where Moscow seeks influence, even as questions linger about leadership, governance, and the future role of private military firms in Russia’s security landscape. The remarks appear to project confidence and resilience, aiming to reassure followers and potential partners that the organization remains a persistent factor in regional security equations.