The Wagner Group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin until his death in a plane crash in 2023, continues its operations under new leadership, as reported by the UK Ministry of Defence. The group maintains its influence in Russian military strategy, with deployments in countries like Belarus, Mali, and the Central African Republic. Prigozhin, known for recruiting prisoners for Russia’s war in Ukraine, died after leading a rebellion against the Russian military high command, accusing them of corruption and dereliction of duty. Despite his death, the Wagner Group, now led by his son Pavel Prigozhin and commanded by Anton “Lotos” Yelizarov, carries on its activities.
The report highlights Prigozhin’s practice of recruiting prisoners, which was later adopted by the Russian Defense Ministry. From July 2022 to February 2023, Wagner recruited over 48,000 prisoners, with more than 17,000 of them dying in combat. As a result, Russia’s prison population decreased by at least 150,000 people, indicating that many prisoners were released in exchange for fighting in Ukraine. The British Ministry of Defence underlines the impact of Prigozhin’s actions and the ongoing presence of the Wagner Group in various regions.
Furthermore, following Prigozhin’s death, key changes occurred within the Russian military leadership, with the replacement of former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The Wagner Group’s withdrawal from the front in Ukraine led to the deployment of Chechen and Russian Ministry of Defense Volunteer Corps, while Africa Corps took over Wagner’s operations in Syria and Libya. Despite these shifts, Wagner’s independent deployments in Belarus, Mali, and the Central African Republic continue to shape Russian military activities.
The UK Ministry of Defence’s report points to the lasting impact of Prigozhin’s legacy and the ongoing activities of the Wagner Group in various conflict zones. The recruitment of prisoners for military service, the changes in Russian military strategy, and the group’s presence in different regions demonstrate the complex dynamics at play within the Russian military landscape. As the Wagner Group adapts to new leadership and changes in operations, its influence remains a significant factor in Russian military tactics and deployments.
In conclusion, the UK Ministry of Defence’s intelligence update highlights the continued influence of the Wagner Group in Russian military strategy, following the death of its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin. The recruitment of prisoners, shifts in leadership within the Russian military, and the group’s operations in Belarus, Mali, and the Central African Republic underscore the ongoing impact of Prigozhin’s legacy. As the Wagner Group navigates new leadership and changes in operations, its role in shaping Russian military activities remains a key focus for intelligence agencies monitoring global security dynamics.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/06/24/uk-intel-russias-prison-population-drops-by-150000-amid-war-recruitment-since-2022/