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What is Russia's Wagner mercenary group and where is its leader, Prigozhin? What is Russia's Wagner group, and where have its fighters gone?
(12 days later)
The head of the Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin is back in Russia, according to the Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Several Wagner mercenaries have gone to Belarus, after Yevgeny Prigozhin led thousands of the group's troops in a failed mutiny in June.
Prigozhin had agreed with the Kremlin that he would go into exile in Belarus, after leading Wagner troops in a failed mutiny in June. Mr Prigozhin was also supposed to relocate there, but his current whereabouts are not known.
What is the Wagner group and how big is it?What is the Wagner group and how big is it?
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. Yevgenny Prigozhin says he founded Wagner in 2014.
A wealthy businessman with a criminal record, he is known as "Putin's chef" because he provided catering for the Kremlin.
In 2014, Wagner started backing pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, and is thought to have helped Russia annex Crimea.
Wagner forces have also been active in Africa and the Middle East.Wagner forces have also been active in Africa and the Middle East.
Before the war in Ukraine, it is thought it had about 5,000 fighters - mostly veterans of Russia's elite regiments and special forces. The group's first field commander is believed to have been Dmitri Utkin, a veteran of Russia's wars in Chechnya. "Wagner" was his radio call sign.
However, its numbers grew considerably after that. When announcing his "march for justice" on Moscow, Yevgeny Prigozhin said that he commanded 25,000 troops. Before the war in Ukraine, estimates suggested Wagner had about 5,000 fighters - mostly veterans of Russia's elite regiments and special forces.
However, its numbers grew substantially after the war began. When launching his failed mutiny in June, Yevgeny Prigozhin said that he commanded 25,000 troops.
Although mercenary forces are technically illegal in Russia, Wagner registered as a "private military company" in 2022.Although mercenary forces are technically illegal in Russia, Wagner registered as a "private military company" in 2022.
The US said it would designate the group a "transnational criminal organisation" in January 2023. Wagner still recruiting despite mutiny, BBC finds
What has Wagner done in Ukraine? What did Wagner do in Ukraine?
Wagner was heavily involved in the capture of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut 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 casualties.
Yevgeny Prigozhin with mercenaries in UkraineYevgeny Prigozhin with mercenaries in Ukraine
Prigozhin threatened to pull Wagner troops out of Bakhmut, saying that Russia's top military officials were depriving his force of ammunition. In the weeks before Russia's invasion, it is thought Wagner carried out so-called "false flag" attacks in Ukraine, to give the Kremlin a pretext for invading. These are attacks which one side carries out but blames on its opponent.
In the weeks before Russia's invasion, it is thought Wagner carried out so-called "false flag" attacks in Ukraine, to give the Kremlin a pretext for invading. These are attacks carried out by one side which are blamed on its opponent.
Uproar in Serbia over Wagner recruiting for Russia
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.
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.
Prigozhin boosted Wagner's numbers in 2022 by recruiting Russian prisoners.Prigozhin boosted Wagner's numbers in 2022 by recruiting Russian prisoners.
About 80% of its troops in Ukraine came from there, according to the US National Security Council. About 80% of its troops in Ukraine came from prisons, according to the US National Security Council.
From Putin's chef to rebel in chief
Mercenary chief seen recruiting Russian convictsMercenary chief seen recruiting Russian convicts
Why did Wagner clash with Russia's military commanders and where is Prigozhin? Why did Wagner troops stage a mutiny?
Prigozhin has repeatedly accused Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, and the chief of staff of Russia's armed forces, Valery Gerasimov, of incompetence. Prigozhin regularly criticised Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, and the chief of staff of Russia's armed forces, Valery Gerasimov, over their approach to the war.
He also refused an order from the defence ministry to sign a contract to put Wagner under its control. He also defied an order from the defence ministry that it should run the group.
On 23 June, Prigozhin said top Russian defence officials had bombed Wagner troops in Ukraine. On 24 June, about 5,000 Wagner troops seized control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and advanced on Moscow, with the stated aim of removing the military leadership.
A day later, about 5,000 Wagner troops seized control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and began to advance on 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, Prigozhin stopped the rebellion after negotiations with the Kremlin, which were mediated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. However, Prigozhin stopped the mutiny after negotiations with the Kremlin, which were mediated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Wagner fighters were told they could join Russia's regular army or go into exile to Belarus, with Prigozhin. Wagner fighters were told they could join Russia's regular army or go to Belarus, along with Prigozhin.
There is evidence that accommodation is being built for Wagner fighters in southern Belarus. Where are Wagner's fighters now?
Despite the deal, Prigozhin's whereabouts since the mutiny have been a mystery. The BBC has compiled satellite imagery and videos from social media which suggest that an estimated 600 Wagner fighters have set up camp at Tsel, in the south of Belarus.
However, on 6 July, Mr Lukashenko said Prigozhin was not in Belarus but in St Petersburg, in Russia. The BBC has not been able to verify this claim. The country's defence ministry says Wagner fighters are now acting as instructors for its territorial defence forces.
Satellite images show activity at Belarus base Images have emerged which appear to show Wagner fighters training Belarusian soldiers at a base south-east of Minsk
Prigozhin's soldiers rage while others cry conspiracy The US military says Wagner troops in Ukraine are no longer "participating in any significant capacity" in the war.
Wagner still recruiting despite mutiny, BBC finds New satellite photos reveal Wagner arrival
Where is Prigozhin?
Under the settlement reached after the mutiny, Prigozhin agreed to go into exile in Belarus.
However, on 6 July, Lukashenko said he was in St Petersburg, in Russia.
In addition, President Putin revealed that he met Prigozhin and other Wagner commanders in the Kremlin five days after the mutiny, to discuss the group's future.
The BBC tracked Prigozhin's plane as it flew from Russia to Belarus and back in late June.
The plane also made several journeys between St Petersburg and Moscow around the same time - although it is not known whether Prigozhin was on board.
He hasn't been seen in public since 24 June, when he was with Wagner forces in Rostov-on-Don.
Wagner head rejected Russian army offer - Putin
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. Wagner's mercenaries have been in Syria since 2015, fighting alongside pro-government forces and guarding oilfields.
It also has troops in Libya, supporting the forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar.
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 group has troops in Libya, supporting the forces of General Khalifa Haftar, and members are also thought to protect gold mines in Sudan.
Wagner personnel in the Central African Republic (CAR) guard diamond mines. Shortly after the failed coup, hundreds of fighters left because of uncertainty over the group's future.
However, according to the Reuters news agency, several have since returned.
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 now take command of these troops.It is not yet clear who will now take command of these troops.
How does Wagner make money?How does Wagner make money?
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. According to President Putin, Wagner was given 86.26bn roubles ($1bn) of government money between May 2022 and May 2023 to pay troops.
He said authorities would investigate how the money paid to Wagner was spent. The US Treasury says Prigozhin's private companies have made profits in many places where Wagner forces operate - in gold and diamond mines in the CAR and Sudan, and in oil and gas fields in Syria.
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?What interests do Russian mercenaries have in Sudan?
US sanctions boss of Wagner group in MaliUS 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 accused of?What crimes are Wagner troops accused of?
Ukrainian prosecutors say three Wagner 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 troops of raping and robbing civilians in the Central African Republic. The UN and the French government have accused Wagner troops of raping and robbing civilians in the CAR.
In 2020, the United States military accused Wagner mercenaries of planting landmines and other improvised explosive devices in and around the Libyan capital, Tripoli. In 2020, the US military accused Wagner mercenaries of planting landmines and other improvised explosive devices in and around the Libyan capital, Tripoli.