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What is Russia's Wagner group, and where are its fighters? What is Russia's Wagner group, and where are its fighters?
(21 days later)
The leader of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been seen in a video addressing his troops in Belarus. Thousands of mercenaries from Russia's Wagner group are now in Belarus, helping to train its soldiers.
Prigozhin had not been seen since late June, when he led several thousand Wagner fighters in a short-lived mutiny against Russia's military leadership. Poland's government is sending an additional 10,000 troops to the Belarusian border, saying it needs to guard against incursions by Wagner fighters.
And the BBC has learned that several prisoners recruited by Wagner to fight in Ukraine have been accused of committing serious crimes since returning to Russia.
What is the Wagner group and how big is it?What is the Wagner group and how big is it?
Prigozhin says he founded Wagner in 2014. Wagner's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin says he founded the group in 2014.
A wealthy businessman with a criminal record, he is known as "Putin's chef" because he provided catering for the Kremlin. A wealthy businessman with a criminal record, Prigozhin 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 Moscow annex Crimea. 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 are also active in Africa and the Middle East.
The group's first field commander is believed to have been Dmitry Utkin, a veteran of Russia's wars in Chechnya. "Wagner" is his radio call sign. It's thought that the group takes its name from the radio call sign of its first field commander - Dmitry Utkin.
Before the war in Ukraine, estimates suggested Wagner had about 5,000 fighters - mostly veterans of Russia's elite regiments and special forces. Before the war in Ukraine, Wagner had an estimated 5,000 fighters - mostly veterans of Russia's elite regiments and special forces.
However, its numbers grew substantially after the war began. Ahead of the June mutiny, Yevgeny Prigozhin said he commanded 25,000 troops. However, Prigozhin said last June that its numbers had grown since the start of the Ukraine war to 25,000 fighters.
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.
Wagner still recruiting despite mutiny, BBC findsWagner still recruiting despite mutiny, BBC finds
What did Wagner do 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 capturing the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut for Russia.
Ukrainian troops say its fighters were sent into attacks in large numbers over open ground, and many of them were killed. Ukrainian troops say its fighters were sent into attacks in large numbers over open ground, and many were killed.
Yevgeny Prigozhin with mercenaries in UkraineYevgeny Prigozhin with mercenaries in Ukraine
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 are carried out by one side but blamed on the other. 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.
Prigozhin boosted Wagner's numbers in 2022 by recruiting Russian prisoners. How many prisoners did Wagner recruit?
About 80% of its troops in Ukraine came from prisons, according to the US National Security Council. Prigozhin says Wagner has recruited 49,000 prisoners from Russian jails.
They were given pardons and 100,000 roubles ($1000, £800) each for serving for six months in Ukraine.
Prigozhin says 32,000 prisoners have returned, but independent researchers say that the numbers of survivors could be as low as 20,000.
The BBC has established that 20 former prisoners who fought for Wagner in Ukraine are suspected of having committed serious crimes, including rape and murder, since returning to Russia.
Mercenary chief seen recruiting Russian convictsMercenary chief seen recruiting Russian convicts
Russian convicts freed to fight accused of new crimes
Why did Wagner troops stage a mutiny?Why did Wagner troops stage a mutiny?
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. 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 in Ukraine.
He also defied an order from the defence ministry to give it control of the group.He also defied an order from the defence ministry to give it control of the group.
On 24 June, about 5,000 Wagner troops seized control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and moved towards Moscow, with the stated aim of removing the military leadership.On 24 June, about 5,000 Wagner troops seized control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and moved towards 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 advance after negotiations with the Kremlin, which were mediated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.However, Prigozhin stopped the advance 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 to Belarus, along with Prigozhin.Wagner fighters were told they could join Russia's regular army or go to Belarus, along with Prigozhin.
Where are Wagner's fighters and Prigozhin now? What are Wagner's fighters doing in Belarus?
After Wagner's failed mutiny, there was uncertainty over Prigozhin's whereabouts. Wagner fighters are now based at military camps in Tsel (pictured above), and at Brestsky, in the south of Belarus.
Lukashenko said he had not gone into exile in Belarus, but was in St Petersburg. Belarus' defence ministry says they are training its soldiers.
President Putin said Prigozhin had attended a conference in the Kremlin five days after the Wagner mutiny, to discuss the group's future. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said Wagner fighters have been moving towards the Polish border at Grodno, in the north-west of Belarus.
However, Prigozhin has recently appeared in a video addressing Wagner troops in Belarus. Poland's government says it is sending 10,000 additional troops to reinforce its Border Guard.
The BBC has verified that the footage was taken at a base in Tsel, in the south of the country, which is now home to an estimated 600 Wagner fighters.
Belarus' defence ministry says Wagner fighters are teaching its territorial defence forces.
The US military says Wagner troops in Ukraine are no longer "participating in any significant capacity" in the war.The US military says Wagner troops in Ukraine are no longer "participating in any significant capacity" in the war.
Why are there tensions on the Belarus-Poland border?
Images have emerged which appear to show Wagner fighters training Belarusian soldiers at a base south-east of MinskImages have emerged which appear to show Wagner fighters training Belarusian soldiers at a base south-east of Minsk
Where else does Wagner operate?Where else does Wagner operate?
Wagner forces have been hired to guard mines in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Sudan.Wagner forces have been hired to guard mines in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Sudan.
Shortly after the failed coup, hundreds of them were reported to have left CAR, because of uncertainty over the group's future. It's been reported many have returned.
In Mali, in West Africa, the government uses them to combat Islamic militant groups.In Mali, in West Africa, the government uses them to combat Islamic militant groups.
In Libya, Wagner troops support the forces of General Khalifa Haftar. The US says Wagner may be trying to gain a foothold in neighbouring Niger following the coup there in late July.
Prigozhin recently told the pro-Kremlin Afrique Media TV that "there was no - and there will be no - reduction in our programmes in Africa" as a result of developments in Russia. In Libya, Wagner troops are supporting the forces of General Khalifa Haftar.
Wagner's mercenaries have also been in Syria since 2015, fighting alongside pro-government forces and guarding oilfields.Wagner's mercenaries have also been in Syria since 2015, fighting alongside pro-government forces and guarding oilfields.
Wagner members have been operating in SyriaWagner members have been operating in Syria
How does Wagner make money?How does Wagner make money?
According to President Putin, Wagner was given 86.26bn roubles ($1bn) of government money between May 2022 and May 2023 to pay troops.According to President Putin, Wagner was given 86.26bn roubles ($1bn) of government money between May 2022 and May 2023 to pay troops.
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.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.
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 CAR.The UN and the French government have accused Wagner troops of raping and robbing civilians in the CAR.
In 2020, the US 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.