Wagner Group and its Presence in Ukraine, Other Countries

 

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The Wagner head threatens to withdraw from Ukraine if Russia does not fulfil its demand of supplying arms at Bakhmut. He said in a video he put on social media.

Introducing Wagner Group of Mercenary Fighters

Wagner is a network of organizations responsible for provision of mercenary services with the consent of Kremlin. It is headed by Yevgeniy Prigozhin who has publicly announced in September last year in a press release at Russian Social media site VK. According to him, the group is formed to assist Russian forces in Crimea that was annexed by Moscow in 2014 and it also helps the rebels in eastern region of Ukraine. According to him, a group of patriots formed this group on 1^st of May, 2014 that was later named as “Wagner”.

About:

• According to Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, its a private group.
• Its operational activities and administration are intertwined with Russian intelligence and military. (CSIS)
• It has operated in almost 30 countries across the world. (CSIS)
• US has declared Wagner “A significant transnational criminal organization.

Alleged Operations of Wagner in Ukraine:

• In 2014, the group had helped Russian back militias to get control over Ukraine’s Donbas region. (CSIS)
• The group was also part of Russian annexation of Crimea. (CSIS)
• According to US, around 50,000 fighters of Wagner was deployed in Ukraine last year.
• The group has played major role in acquiring the control of Bakhmut city located in eastern Ukraine.
• North Korea is also accused of sending arms to Wagner for its activities in Ukraine.

Wagner’s Operations in other regions:

    The Wagner has operated reportedly in Syria, Libya, Mali, CAR, Madagascar, Mozambique as well as in Venezuela. (CSIS).

• In Syria: it provided security to Syrian and Russian forces.
• In Libya: the group have been fighting on the side Libyan commander in its battle to ouster UN backed government.
• In Mali: Wagner have provided the security to Presidential palace.
• In Central African Republic: it is helping the embattled government and in response the group has got license of mining gold and diamonds.

(Courtesy: Washington Post/ CSIS)