This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-60947877

The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
What is Russia's Wagner Group of mercenaries in Ukraine? What is Russia's Wagner Group of mercenaries in Ukraine?
(2 days later)
Some 20,000 mercenaries are believed to be fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Tens of thousands of mercenaries are believed to be fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
They belong to an organisation called the Wagner Group, which has been used in Russian military operations all over the world. They belong to an organisation called the Wagner Group, which has been used in Russian military operations in many countries.
Who are the Wagner Group's mercenaries?Who are the Wagner Group's mercenaries?
The Wagner Group's fighters now make up about 10% of Russia's forces in Ukraine, according to UK government officials. "Wagner almost certainly now commands 50,000 fighters in Ukraine and has become a key component of the Ukraine campaign," according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
Thousands are raw recruits from Russian prisons. It says the organisation started recruiting in large numbers last year because Russia had trouble finding people for the regular army.
The Wagner Group started recruiting in large numbers after the Kremlin had trouble finding people for the regular army, UK intelligence officials say. About 80% of its troops in Ukraine have been drawn from prisons, according to the US National Security Council.
It's thought the organisation had previously had only 5,000 fighters, most of whom were former soldiers including many from elite regiments. Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it is thought the Wagner Group had only about 5,000 fighters.
The Wagner Group has also adopted a higher profile - including a large new headquarters in St Petersburg. They were mostly experienced former soldiers - many of them from Russia's elite regiments and special forces.
Although mercenary forces are illegal in Russia, the Wagner Group registered as a company in 2022 and opened a new headquarters in St Petersburg.
"It is openly recruiting in Russian cities, on billboards, and is being named in Russian media as a patriotic organisation," says Dr Samuel Ramani, of the Royal United Services Institute think tank."It is openly recruiting in Russian cities, on billboards, and is being named in Russian media as a patriotic organisation," says Dr Samuel Ramani, of the Royal United Services Institute think tank.
US to designate Russia's Wagner as a criminal group
Uproar in Serbia over Wagner recruiting for Russia
What is the Wagner Group doing in Ukraine?What is the Wagner Group doing in Ukraine?
The Wagner Group has been heavily involved in Russian efforts to capture the city of Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine.The Wagner Group has been heavily involved in Russian efforts to capture the city of Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian troops say Wagner fighters have been sent into attacks in large numbers over open ground, with many killed as a result.Ukrainian troops say Wagner fighters have been sent into attacks in large numbers over open ground, with many killed as a result.
Wagner Group commander requests asylum in Norway
After Russia claimed to have captured the town of Soledar, near Bakhmut, a row broke out between its defence ministry and the Wagner Group over who should get the credit.After Russia claimed to have captured the town of Soledar, near Bakhmut, a row broke out between its defence ministry and the Wagner Group over who should get the credit.
At first, the defence ministry did not mention that the Wagner Group was involved in the fighting. However, it then conceded that its mercenaries had played a "courageous and selfless" role.At first, the defence ministry did not mention that the Wagner Group was involved in the fighting. However, it then conceded that its mercenaries had played a "courageous and selfless" role.
Uproar in Serbia over Wagner recruiting for Russia
Tanzanian killed in Ukraine: We told him not to go
How was the Wagner Group started?How was the Wagner Group started?
A BBC investigation into the Wagner Group highlighted the believed involvement of a former Russian army officer, Dmitri Utkin.A BBC investigation into the Wagner Group highlighted the believed involvement of a former Russian army officer, Dmitri Utkin.
A veteran of Russia's wars in Chechnya, he is thought to have founded Wagner and named it 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 it after his former radio call sign.
The current head is Yevgeny Prigozhin, a rich businessman nicknamed "Putin's chef" because he provided catering for the Kremlin. The head is Yevgeny Prigozhin, a rich businessman nicknamed "Putin's chef" because he provided catering for the Kremlin.
Mr Prigozhin used to deny any links to the Wagner Group, but now speaks openly about the group's operations in Ukraine.
Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has been seen in leaked footage addressing prisoners in RussiaWagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has been seen in leaked footage addressing prisoners in Russia
The Wagner Group's first operation was helping Russia annex Crimea in 2014, says Tracey German, professor of conflict and security at King's College London.The Wagner Group's first operation was helping Russia annex Crimea in 2014, says Tracey German, professor of conflict and security at King's College London.
Troops appeared on the streets of Crimea at the time in uniforms without badges or markings, and were known as the "little green men". "Its mercenaries are thought to have been some of the 'little green men' who occupied the region," says Prof German, referring to the troops who appeared on the streets of Crimea in uniforms without any identifying markings.
"Its mercenaries are thought to be some of the 'little green men' who occupied the region," says Prof German. In the weeks before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it is thought Wagner carried out "false flag" attacks to give the Kremlin a pretext for attacking.
After that, about 1,000 Wagner Group mercenaries helped Russian-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine fight the Ukrainian army.
In the weeks before Russia's invasion, it is thought Wagner carried out "false flag" attacks to give the Kremlin a pretext for attacking.
Russia-supporting Wagner mercenary numbers soarRussia-supporting Wagner mercenary numbers soar
Where else is the Wagner Group operating?Where else is the Wagner Group operating?
Since 2015, Wagner Group mercenaries have been in Syria, fighting alongside pro-government forces and guarding oilfields.Since 2015, Wagner Group mercenaries have been in Syria, fighting alongside pro-government forces and guarding oilfields.
There are also Wagner Group mercenaries in Libya, supporting the forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar.There are also Wagner Group mercenaries in Libya, supporting the forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar.
The Central African Republic (CAR) has invited the Wagner Group to guard diamond mines, and it is thought to be guarding gold mines in Sudan.The Central African Republic (CAR) has invited the Wagner Group to guard diamond mines, and it is thought to be guarding gold mines in Sudan.
Wagner members in SyriaWagner members in Syria
The government of Mali, in West Africa, is using the Wagner Group against Islamic militant groups.The government of Mali, in West Africa, is using the Wagner Group against Islamic militant groups.
Yevgeny Prigozhin is thought to make money from Wagner Group operations abroad.Yevgeny Prigozhin is thought to make money from Wagner Group operations abroad.
The US Treasury says he uses its presence to enrich mining companies which he owns and has placed them under sanctions.The US Treasury says he uses its presence to enrich mining companies which he owns and has placed them under sanctions.
An unnamed White House spokesman told Reuters that Mr Prigozhin may want the Wagner Group to capture Bakhmut so he can control salt and gypsum mines in the area.An unnamed White House spokesman told Reuters that Mr Prigozhin may want the Wagner Group to capture Bakhmut so he can control salt and gypsum mines in the area.
This video can not be playedThis video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Russian Mercenaries: Inside the Wagner GroupRussian Mercenaries: Inside the Wagner Group
Russian Mercenaries: Inside the Wagner GroupRussian Mercenaries: Inside the Wagner Group
What crimes is the Wagner Group alleged to have committed?What crimes is the Wagner Group alleged to have committed?
In January, a former commander claimed asylum in Norway after deserting from the mercenary outfit. He claims to have witnessed war crimes in Ukraine.In January, a former commander claimed asylum in Norway after deserting from the mercenary outfit. He claims to have witnessed war crimes in Ukraine.
Three Wagner Group mercenaries are alleged by Ukrainian prosecutors to have killed and tortured civilians near Kyiv in April 2022, alongside regular Russian troops.Three Wagner Group mercenaries are alleged by Ukrainian prosecutors to have killed and tortured civilians near Kyiv in April 2022, alongside regular Russian troops.
German intelligence says Wagner mercenaries may also have massacred civilians in Bucha in March 2022, during the withdrawal of Russian forces from the Kyiv region. German intelligence says Wagner mercenaries may also have massacred civilians in Bucha in March 2022.
The United Nations and the French government have accused Wagner mercenaries of committing rapes and robberies against civilians in the Central African Republic, and the EU has imposed sanctions as a result. The United Nations and the French government have accused Wagner mercenaries of committing rapes and robberies against 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 having planted landmines and other improvised explosive devices in and around the Libyan capital, Tripoli.