Exclusive: Russia's Wagner Mercenary Group Denies Involvement in Ukraine War, Focuses on Operations in Africa and Belarus
In a surprising turn of events, the infamous Wagner mercenary group has announced that they are no longer involved in the Ukraine war, instead focusing their efforts on operations in Africa and their Russian ally Belarus. This rare statement comes amidst growing tensions between Ukraine and Belarus, with Ukraine calling on Belarus to withdraw its significant forces deployed along the shared border, including special forces and former Wagner mercenaries.
The group made it clear that their employees are not part of the Russian National Guard or the Ministry of Defense, reiterating that they are solely operating in Africa and Belarus. Despite the Kremlin's preferred term of "Special Military Operation" for the war in Ukraine, Wagner emphasized that they are not participating in this stage of the conflict.
Wagner's activities in Africa, particularly their support of the military junta in Mali, have raised concerns in the West. In Ukraine, the group played a significant role in the earlier stages of Russia's war effort, notably capturing the city of Bakhmut in May 2023. However, their founder Yevgeny Prigozhin led a mutiny against Russia's defense establishment the following month, resulting in his and other senior figures' deaths in a plane crash on Aug. 23, 2023.
Analysis: This article sheds light on the latest developments surrounding the Wagner mercenary group and their shift in operations from Ukraine to Africa and Belarus. The group's denial of involvement in the Ukraine war could have significant implications for the conflict and geopolitical dynamics in the region. Investors and individuals monitoring global security issues should keep a close eye on the situation to assess potential risks and opportunities in the affected areas.