Wagner Group Link with Russia
What Is Wagner Group and How it links with Russia?
The Wagner Group is a private military company (PMC) that is reportedly linked to Russia. It gained significant attention for its involvement in various conflicts and military operations, particularly in Ukraine and Syria.
The Wagner Group is known for its covert operations and has been described as a “shadow army” or “proxy force” for the Russian government. It is believed to be composed of former Russian military personnel and mercenaries who are contracted by the Russian state or private clients.
The group first gained international attention in 2014 when it was involved in the annexation of Crimea by Russia. Since then, it has been involved in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, supporting pro-Russian separatist forces. The Wagner Group’s activities in Ukraine have drawn condemnation from the international community, including accusations of human rights abuses and violations of international law.
The Wagner Group has also been active in Syria, where it has been involved in supporting the Syrian government in its fight against rebel groups. Its fighters have been deployed to strategic areas, participated in combat operations, and provided security for Russian military assets in the region.
Despite its actions, the Russian government has denied any official connection to the Wagner Group and refers to it as a private entity. However, there is strong evidence suggesting close ties between the group and the Russian state, including reports of funding and support from the Russian government.
It is important to note that information about the Wagner Group is often limited and comes primarily from unofficial sources, making it challenging to ascertain all the details of its operations and its precise relationship with the Russian government.
Why Wagner group is against Russia now?
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russia’s private military company known as Wagner, has asserted that his forces have penetrated Russia with the objective of ousting the nation’s highest-ranking military officials.
Prigozhin stated on Saturday that his forces currently maintain control over military installations located in Rostov-on-Don, a southern city where the military headquarters responsible for overseeing operations in Ukraine is situated. Numerous videos circulated on social media platforms, revealing the presence of military vehicles, including tanks, on the streets of Rostov-on-Don.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed strong condemnation of the rebellion, describing it as a betrayal against the nation and its people. In a televised address to the nation on Saturday, Putin emphasized that those responsible for organizing the uprising would face inevitable punishment, and he assured that necessary orders had been issued to the armed forces and other government agencies.
Russia’s security services announced the initiation of a criminal investigation into Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner, accusing him of inciting a mutiny. Prigozhin has been openly critical of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and top general Valery Gerasimov for months, accusing them of incompetence. However, for the first time, he rejected Russia’s official justifications for the invasion of Ukraine, challenging the narrative provided by the Kremlin.
Prigozhin’s press service released a video clip on Friday, where he questioned the Defense Ministry’s claims about Ukrainian aggression and the alleged NATO threat. He asserted that the motives behind the special operation differed from the official explanation, suggesting that the war was pursued to serve personal ambitions, such as Shoigu’s desire to become a marshal and receive additional honors.
Prigozhin further claimed that Shoigu had ordered a rocket attack on Wagner’s field camps in Ukraine, where his troops were fighting on behalf of Russia. He declared that his forces would seek retribution against Shoigu in an armed rebellion, urging the Russian army not to resist their actions. He emphasized that this was not a military coup but rather a quest for justice.
In response, Russia’s defense ministry denied carrying out the alleged rocket attack, while the National Antiterrorism Committee, a part of the Federal Security Service (FSB), announced an investigation into Prigozhin on charges of inciting armed rebellion. The FSB characterized Prigozhin’s statements as a betrayal against Russian troops and accused him of instigating internal armed conflict.
The FSB called on Wagner fighters to apprehend Prigozhin, urging them to refuse to follow his “criminal and treacherous orders.” Security measures were heightened in Moscow, with riot police and the National Guard deployed to key facilities, including government agencies and transportation infrastructure.
Prigozhin’s dispute with Russia’s military stems from his claim that the defense ministry attempted to diminish Wagner’s achievements and steal their accomplishments. He previously asserted sole credit for capturing the Donetsk region town of Soledar in Ukraine and accused the Russian military of undermining their efforts. Prigozhin has repeatedly criticized the military for inadequate ammunition supply, specifically targeting Shoigu and General Gerasimov.
Over time, Prigozhin has increased his public presence, boasting about supposed Wagner victories, mocking his adversaries, and expressing dissatisfaction with Russia’s military leadership.