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What is Russia's Wagner group of mercenaries and why did it march on Moscow? What is Russia's Wagner group of mercenaries and why did it march on Moscow?
(about 1 hour later)
The Russian government appears to be disbanding the Wagner mercenary force.The Russian government appears to be disbanding the Wagner mercenary force.
The defence ministry says it will claim the group's heavy weapons and military hardware.The defence ministry says it will claim the group's heavy weapons and military hardware.
The move follows a rebellion by Wagner commander Yevgeny Prigozhin, who marched on Moscow with an estimated 5,000 fighters, but stopped 200km short of the capital.The move follows a rebellion by Wagner commander Yevgeny Prigozhin, who marched on Moscow with an estimated 5,000 fighters, but stopped 200km short of the capital.
What is the Wagner group and how big is it?What is the Wagner group and how big is it?
The Wagner group (or PMC Wagner) was first identified in 2014, when it started backing pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine. It is thought to have helped Russia annex Crimea in the same year. The Wagner group was first identified in 2014, when it started backing pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine. It is thought to have helped Russia annex Crimea in the same year.
Wagner forces have also been operating in Africa and the Middle East. Wagner forces have also been active in Africa and the Middle East.
Before the war in Ukraine, Wagner was thought to have had about 5,000 fighters - mostly veterans of Russia's elite regiments and special forces. Before the war in Ukraine, Wagner was believed to have about 5,000 fighters - mostly veterans of Russia's elite regiments and special forces.
However, its numbers have since grown considerably.However, its numbers have since grown considerably.
When announcing his "march for justice" on Moscow, Yevgeny Prigozhin said that he commanded 25,000 troops.When announcing his "march for justice" on Moscow, Yevgeny Prigozhin said that he commanded 25,000 troops.
Although mercenary forces are technically illegal in Russia, Wagner registered as a company in 2022.Although mercenary forces are technically illegal in Russia, Wagner registered as a company in 2022.
The US said it would designate the group a "transnational criminal organisation" in January 2023.The US said it would designate the group a "transnational criminal organisation" in January 2023.
What has Wagner done in Ukraine?What has Wagner done in Ukraine?
Wagner was heavily involved in the capture of the city of Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine, for Russia. Wagner was heavily involved in the capture of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut for Russia.
Ukrainian troops say its fighters were sent into attacks in large numbers over open ground, which resulted in many deaths.Ukrainian troops say its fighters were sent into attacks in large numbers over open ground, which resulted in many deaths.
Yevgeny Prigozhin with mercenaries in UkraineYevgeny Prigozhin with mercenaries in Ukraine
At first, the defence ministry did not acknowledge that the Wagner Group was involved in the fighting, which prompted the first of Yevgeny Prigozhin's complaints against Russia's military leaders. At first, the defence ministry did not acknowledge that the Wagner Group was fighting in Ukraine, which prompted the first of Yevgeny Prigozhin's complaints against Russia's military leaders.
Mr Prigozhin threatened to pull Wagner troops out of Bakhmut, saying they were being deprived of ammunition.Mr Prigozhin threatened to pull Wagner troops out of Bakhmut, saying they were being deprived of ammunition.
In the weeks before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it is thought Wagner carried out so-called "false flag" attacks, to give the Kremlin a pretext for invading. The term refers to political or military acts carried out but blamed on opponents. In the weeks before Russia's invasion, it is thought Wagner carried out so-called "false flag" attacks, to give the Kremlin a pretext for invading. The term refers to political or military acts carried out by one side but blamed on opponents.
The group also policed regular Russian troops in Ukraine, according to Dr Marina Miron, from Kings College, London: "It was used by the Kremlin to enforce discipline on the ground". The group was also "used by the Kremlin to enforce discipline on the ground," according to Dr Marina Miron, from Kings College, London.
Uproar in Serbia over Wagner recruiting for RussiaUproar in Serbia over Wagner recruiting for Russia
When was Wagner started and how did it get its name?When was Wagner started and how did it get its name?
Yevgeny Prigozhin claims he founded Wagner in 2014. A wealthy businessman and convicted criminal, he is nicknamed "Putin's chef" because he provided catering for the Kremlin.Yevgeny Prigozhin claims he founded Wagner in 2014. A wealthy businessman and convicted criminal, he is nicknamed "Putin's chef" because he provided catering for the Kremlin.
A 2021 BBC investigation highlighted the suspected involvement of former Russian army officer Dmitri Utkin.A 2021 BBC investigation highlighted the suspected involvement of former Russian army officer Dmitri Utkin.
A veteran of Russia's wars in Chechnya, he is thought to have been Wagner's first field commander, and to have named the group after his former radio call sign.A veteran of Russia's wars in Chechnya, he is thought to have been Wagner's first field commander, and to have named the group after his former radio call sign.
Mr Prigozhin boosted Wagner's numbers in 2022 by recruiting Russian prisoners.Mr Prigozhin boosted Wagner's numbers in 2022 by recruiting Russian prisoners.
About 80% of its troops in Ukraine were drawn from there, according to the US National Security Council. About 80% of its troops in Ukraine came from there according to the US National Security Council.
From Putin's chef to rebel in chiefFrom Putin's chef to rebel in chief
How did Wagner clash with Russia's military commanders?How did Wagner clash with Russia's military commanders?
Mr Prigozhin has repeatedly accused defence minister Sergei Shoigu and the head of armed forces in Ukraine, Valery Gerasimov, of incompetence.Mr Prigozhin has repeatedly accused defence minister Sergei Shoigu and the head of armed forces in Ukraine, Valery Gerasimov, of incompetence.
He also refused an order from the Russian defence ministry to sign a contract which would have put Wagner directly under its control.He also refused an order from the Russian defence ministry to sign a contract which would have put Wagner directly under its control.
On 23 June, Mr Prigozhin accused top Russian defence officials of having bombed Wagner troops in Ukraine. On 23 June, Mr Prigozhin said top Russian defence officials had bombed Wagner troops in Ukraine.
A day later, his troops seized control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and began their march on Moscow, with the stated aim of removing the military leadership. A day later, his troops seized control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and began their march to Moscow, with the stated aim of removing the military leadership.
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Watch: Tracking Wagner's day of rebellion... in 82 secondsWatch: Tracking Wagner's day of rebellion... in 82 seconds
Watch: Tracking Wagner's day of rebellion... in 82 secondsWatch: Tracking Wagner's day of rebellion... in 82 seconds
However, Mr Prigozhin stopped the advance after negotiations with the Kremlin which were mediated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. However, Mr Prigozhin stopped the advance after negotiations with the Kremlin, which were mediated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
He agreed to go into exile in Belarus, along with Wagner troops which remain loyal to him.He agreed to go into exile in Belarus, along with Wagner troops which remain loyal to him.
Other personnel will be absorbed into the regular Russian army.Other personnel will be absorbed into the regular Russian army.
Criminal charges against those involved in the uprising have been dropped.Criminal charges against those involved in the uprising have been dropped.
The bitter personal rivalries that led to a day of rebellionThe bitter personal rivalries that led to a day of rebellion
What will Putin do next? And other key questionsWhat will Putin do next? And other key questions
Where else does Wagner operate?Where else does Wagner operate?
Since 2015, Wagner mercenaries have been in Syria, fighting alongside pro-government forces and guarding oilfields.Since 2015, Wagner mercenaries have been in Syria, fighting alongside pro-government forces and guarding oilfields.
It is also has troops in Libya, supporting the forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar.It is also has troops in Libya, supporting the forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar.
The Central African Republic (CAR) uses Wagner to guard diamond mines. It is also believed to protect gold mines in Sudan. The Central African Republic (CAR) uses Wagner to guard diamond mine. The group is also thought to protect gold mines in Sudan.
Wagner members have been operating in SyriaWagner members have been operating in Syria
The government of Mali, in West Africa, uses the group against Islamic militant groups.The government of Mali, in West Africa, uses the group against Islamic militant groups.
It is not yet clear who will take command of these troops. It is not yet clear who will now take command of these troops.
Prigozhin was thought to have made money from operations abroad. How does Wagner make money?
The US Treasury says he used Wagner's presence to enrich mining companies which he owns. These have been placed under sanctions. Russia paid Mr Prigozhin for providing Wagner troops to fight in Ukraine, says Dr Miron.
"He is one of several wealthy Russians who run private mercenary forces," she says. "Even the defence minister owns a mercenary company."
According to President Putin, Wagner was given 86.26bn roubles ($1bn) from the defence ministry and state budget between May 2022 and May 2023 to pay wages.
He said authorities would investigate how the money paid to Wagner was spent.
Mr Prigozhin has also made money from Wagner's presence in other foreign countries, according to the US Treasury.
His companies are said to have profited from gold and diamond mines in the CAR and Sudan.
US authorities also say that an energy company linked to Mr Prigozhin was offered a 25% stake in all oil or gas fields in Syria which Wagner won back from Isis control.
The US has announced sanctions against several of his companies
What interests do Russian mercenaries have in Sudan?
US sanctions boss of Wagner group in Mali
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Russian Mercenaries: Inside the Wagner GroupRussian Mercenaries: Inside the Wagner Group
Russian Mercenaries: Inside the Wagner GroupRussian Mercenaries: Inside the Wagner Group
What crimes are Wagner troops alleged to have committed? What crimes are Wagner troops accused of?
Ukrainian prosecutors say three Wagner group mercenaries killed and tortured civilians near Kyiv in April 2022, alongside regular Russian troops. Ukrainian prosecutors say three Wagner mercenaries killed and tortured civilians near Kyiv in April 2022, alongside regular Russian troops.
German intelligence says Wagner troops may also have massacred civilians in Bucha in March 2022.German intelligence says Wagner troops may also have massacred civilians in Bucha in March 2022.
The UN and the French government have accused Wagner members of committing rapes and robberies against civilians in the Central African Republic. The UN and the French government have accused Wagner troops of raping and robbing civilians in the Central African Republic.
In 2020, the United States military accused Wagner mercenaries of having planted landmines and other improvised explosive devices in and around the Libyan capital, Tripoli. In 2020, the United States military accused Wagner mercenaries of planting landmines and other improvised explosive devices in and around the Libyan capital, Tripoli.