Executive Summary:

The Wagner Group is a Russia-based private military company (PMC) comprised of a network of businesses and mercenary groups that operates across the globe. Currently, Wagner is present in Ukraine, Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR), Mali, and likely has begun to establish a presence in Burkina Faso. “Wagner Group: Council adds 11 individuals and 7 entities to EU sanctions lists,” Council of the European Union, February 25, 2023, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/02/25/wagner-group-council-adds-11-individuals-and-7-entities-to-eu-sanctions-lists/; William Rampe, “What Is Russia’s Wagner Group Doing in Africa?,” Council on Foreign Relations, May 23, 2023, https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/what-russias-wagner-group-doing-africa; “Treasury Targets Financier’s Illicit Sanctions Evasion Activity,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, July 15, 2020, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1058; Sam Mednick, “After Burkina Faso ousts French, Russia’s Wagner may arrive,” Associated Press, April 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/burkina-faso-russia-wagner-jihadi-02d9235279f0991cdb6ad3ebb4d3e546. Wagner was founded in 2014 by Dmitry Utkin and was financially and publicly fronted by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.Stewart Bell, “In Prigozhin’s shadow, the Wagner Group leader who stays out of the spotlight,” Global News, June 30, 2023, https://globalnews.ca/news/9801903/prigozhin-wagner-group-leader-dmitry-utkin/. As of July 2023, Wagner boasted a recruited troop size of more than 50,000 in Ukraine alone.Nathan Luna, Leah Vredenbregt, and Ivan Pereira, “What is the Wagner Group? The 'brutal' Russian military unit in Ukraine,” ABC News, June 23, 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/International/International/wagner-group-brutal-russian-military-group-fighting-ukraine/story?id=96665326; Irina Chevtayeva, “Russia: From convict to hero via Ukraine?,” Deutsche Welle, July 15, 2023, https://www.dw.com/en/russia-from-convict-to-hero-via-ukraine/a-66220143.

Wagner maintains close relationships with Russia’s Chief Intelligence Office (GRU), Federal Security Service (FSB), and Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).Colin P. Clark, “What Happens Next with the Wagner Group?,” Foreign Policy Research Institute, May 18, 2023, https://www.fpri.org/article/2023/05/what-happens-next-with-the-wagner-group/; “Annual Threat Assessment Of The U.S. Intelligence Community,” Office of the Director of National Intelligence, February 6, 2023, https://www.odni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/ATA-2023-Unclassified-Report.pdf. Along with security services and paramilitary assistance, Wagner has also launched disinformation campaigns for governments in exchange for resource concessions and diplomatic support.“What is Russia's Wagner mercenary group and where is its leader, Prigozhin?,” BBC News, July 6, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60947877.

As a PMC, Wagner can be hired by governments for security or combat services. However, their services have also been used to suppress public dissent of various administrations. Wagner holds a notoriously violent record, as its contract soldiers are known to carry out indiscriminate attacks regardless of the scale of military operations. The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Wagner as a significant transnational criminal organization on May 25, 2023, for rampant crimes against humanity and criminal activity. Chief among those crimes are mass executions, rape, child abductions, and physical abuse, which regularly occur throughout countries in which Wagner fighters are deployed. “Treasury Sanctions the Head of the Wagner Group in Mali,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 25, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1502. The European Union added the PMC to its sanctions list in April 2023.“What is Russia's Wagner mercenary group and where is its leader, Prigozhin?,” BBC News, July 6, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60947877; “Treasury Sanctions the Head of the Wagner Group in Mali,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 25, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1502; “Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: Wagner Group and RIA FAN added to the EU's sanctions list,” Council of the European Union, April 13, 2023, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/04/13/russia-s-war-of-aggression-against-ukraine-wagner-group-and-ria-fan-added-to-the-eu-s-sanctions-list.

Wagner was first involved in the Russian-Ukraine conflict in 2014, when Russia illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula and sponsored a revolt in eastern Ukraine.Nathan Luna, Leah Vredenbregt, and Ivan Pereira, “What is the Wagner Group? The 'brutal' Russian military unit in Ukraine,” ABC News, June 23, 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/International/International/wagner-group-brutal-russian-military-group-fighting-ukraine/story?id=96665326; “Assessing the Wagner Group’s Aborted Run on Moscow: What Comes Next?,” International Crisis Group, June 29, 2023, https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/russia-internal/assessing-wagner-groups-aborted-run-moscow-what-comes. Following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Wagner was once again brought into the fold and played a pivotal role in helping the Kremlin, after a months-long battle, secure control of the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut. That operation alone killed tens of thousands of civilians. “Assessing the Wagner Group’s Aborted Run on Moscow: What Comes Next?,” International Crisis Group, June 29, 2023, https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/russia-internal/assessing-wagner-groups-aborted-run-moscow-what-comes.

Wagner also established itself in Syria, deploying mercenaries to fight alongside Bashar al-Assad’s forces in September 2015.Elis Gjevori, “What the Wagner Group's insurrection means for the Middle East and Africa,” Middle East Eye, June 24, 2023, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/wagner-group-russia-insurrection-middle-east-africa; “What is Russia's Wagner mercenary group and where is its leader, Prigozhin?,” BBC News, July 7, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60947877; Shaun Walker, Kareem Shaheen, Martin Chulov, Spencer Ackerman and Julian Borger, “US accuses Russia of 'throwing gasoline on fire' of Syrian civil war,” Guardian, September 30, 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/30/russia-launches-first-airstrikes-against-targets-in-syria-says-us; “Russia warns US against strikes on Islamic State in Syria,” CNN, September 11, 2014, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29154481; Ed Payne, Barbara Starr and Susannah Cullinane Russia launches first airstrikes in Syria,” CNN, September 30, 2015, https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/30/politics/russia-syria-airstrikes-isis/; Dion Nissenbaum, Nathan Hodge, Sam Dagher, “U.S. Rebukes Russia Over Syria Strikes,” Wall Street Journal, September 30, 2015, https://www.wsj.com/articles/putin-seeks-parliaments-approval-for-use-of-force-outside-russia-1443600142. Wagner trained Syrian fighters to protect the Assad regime and have also reportedly exported Syrian fighters to assist in other campaigns, specifically in Libya.Elis Gjevori, “What the Wagner Group's insurrection means for the Middle East and Africa,” Middle East Eye, June 24, 2023, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/wagner-group-russia-insurrection-middle-east-africa. It was reported in 2022 that Wagner also moved these same Syrian operatives from Libya to Ukraine in support of pro-Russian forces.Gordon Lubold, Nancy A. Youssef and Alan Cullison, “Russia Recruiting Syrians for Urban Combat in Ukraine, U.S. Officials Say Moscow is looking for help from foreign fighters to take cities including Kyiv,” Wall Street Journal, March 6, 2022, https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-recruiting-syrians-for-urban-combat-in-ukraine-u-s-officials-say-11646606234; Julian Borger, “Russia trying to recruit Syrians to fight in Ukraine, says Pentagon,” Guardian, March 7, 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/07/russia-trying-to-recruit-syrians-to-fight-in-ukraine-says-pentagon. Wagner has deployed mercenaries to Libya since October 2018, where they reportedly were “providing technical support for the repair of military vehicles, participating in combat operations and engaging in influence operations.”“UN experts: Libya’s Hifter got fighters from Russian company,” Associated Press, May 6, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/0c7d421396ae0c48f8f55c85e967c2ca. Wagner provided security and training to warlord Khalifa Hifter and his troops and in 2019 the mercenaries openly took part in Hifter's attack on the western Libyan government based in Tripoli.Silja Thoms, “Russia's Wagner Group: Where is it active?,” Deutsche Welle, June 25, 2023, https://www.dw.com/en/russias-wagner-group-where-is-it-active/a-66027220. Wagner has left a bloody trail in Libya. The mercenary group has been accused of war crimes, including torture and indiscriminate killings, throughout the country.Silja Thoms, “Russia's Wagner Group: Where is it active?,” Deutsche Welle, June 25, 2023, https://www.dw.com/en/russias-wagner-group-where-is-it-active/a-66027220; Elis Gjevori, “What the Wagner Group's insurrection means for the Middle East and Africa,” Middle East Eye, June 24, 2023, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/wagner-group-russia-insurrection-middle-east-africa.

Since 2017, Wagner has offered auxiliary military support to several conflict-ridden African countries in exchange for access to precious metals and other resources. In Sudan, CAR, Mali, and Burkina Faso, Wagner has propped up controversial governments and protected dictators from coup attempts.William Rampe, “What Is Russia’s Wagner Group Doing in Africa?,” Council on Foreign Relations, May 23, 2023, https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/what-russias-wagner-group-doing-africa. Wagner deployment has at times been justified by friendly governments as essential to counterterrorism support. However, Wagner troops exercise no restraint and have reportedly been involved in large-scale civilian targeting. Wagner has expanded Moscow’s influence throughout the African continent, creating increased tension between Russia and European governments struggling to retain support in their former colonies.“Wagner Group Operations in Africa,” ACLED, August 30, 2022, https://acleddata.com/2022/08/30/wagner-group-operations-in-africa-civilian-targeting-trends-in-the-central-african-republic-and-mali/.

Among Wagner’s most notorious deployments involve Mali and CAR. Wagner partnered with Mali’s transitional government in September 2021 to reportedly combat Islamist jihadist movements, specifically al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM).Steve Balestrieri, “Mali to Hire Wagner Group to Fight Terrorists as the EU Draws a Red Line Against Russia,” SOFREP, September 26, 2021, https://sofrep.com/news/mali-to-hire-wagner-group-to-fight-terrorists-as-the-eu-draws-a-red-line-against-russia/. On February 2, 2022, the Wagner Group arrived in Mali with the support of the Russian armed forces. More than 1,000 mercenaries were hired.Steve Balestrieri, “Mali to Hire Wagner Group to Fight Terrorists as the EU Draws a Red Line Against Russia,” SOFREP, September 26, 2021, https://sofrep.com/news/mali-to-hire-wagner-group-to-fight-terrorists-as-the-eu-draws-a-red-line-against-russia/. In CAR, Wagner provided political support to President Faustin-Archange Touadéra and his regime for unprecedented mining access. Wagner mercenaries first arrived in CAR in January 2018, eventually reaching a troop size of 1,890 in February 2023.Yousra Elbagir, “Wagner troops leave Central African Republic after 'refusing contracts with Russia',” Sky News, July 7, 2023, https://news.sky.com/story/wagner-troops-leave-central-african-republic-after-refusing-contracts-with-russia-12916846; Silja Thoms, “Russia's Wagner Group: Where is it active?,” Deutsche Welle, June 25, 2023, https://www.dw.com/en/russias-wagner-group-where-is-it-active/a-66027220. Wagner was quick to demonstrate unprecedented violence throughout both countries. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), which documents incidents of political violence around the world, estimates that Wagner was involved in 52% of civilian targeting in CAR, and 71% of political violence against civilians in Mali. Wagner targeted Fulani tribes they considered sympathetic to terrorist groups, further intensifying intercommunal rivalries and ethnic divisions throughout Mali. The violence perpetrated by Wagner has greatly overshadowed reported civilian targeting by insurgent groups.Broderick McDonald and Guy Fiennes, “The Wagner Group’s Growing Shadow In The Sahel: What Does It Mean For Counterterrorism In The Region?,” Modern War Institute at West Point, March 2, 2023, https://mwi.usma.edu/the-wagner-groups-growing-shadow-in-the-sahel-what-does-it-mean-for-counterterrorism-in-the-region/; “Wagner Group Operations in Africa,” ACLED, August 30, 2022, https://acleddata.com/2022/08/30/wagner-group-operations-in-africa-civilian-targeting-trends-in-the-central-african-republic-and-mali/.

Despite an interdependent relationship between Wagner and the Kremlin, differences of opinion, especially regarding Wagner’s autonomy, has sparked public disputes between the organization and its benefactor. On June 23, 2023, Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed Russian defense officials had bombed Wagner troops in Ukraine, resulting in Prigozhin calling for an armed rebellion to oust Russia’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu. A day later, the Wagner Group entered the Lipetsk region, about 225 miles south of Moscow. Immediate calls for Prigozhin’s arrest followed as his troops advanced into Rostov, where Russia maintains a military headquarters for the southern region that also oversees fighting in Ukraine. Putin responded to Wagner by bolstering security around Moscow, ordering anti-terror measures in several regions and granting broader legal powers to law enforcement. The mercenary group briefly occupied Rostov before President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus mediated the crisis, offering Wagner troops an “abandoned base” in Belarus. On June 27, Prigozhin flew into exile in Belarus under a deal that ended the rebellion. Russian authorities dropped the criminal case against the Wagner Group, but Putin announced Wagner would be shut down and its fighters would be given three choices: sign a contract with the ministry of defense, step down, or move to Belarus.“Amid strife with Kremlin, Wagner Group mercenaries enter Russian city,” CBS News, June 24, 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-wagner-group-yevgeny-prigozhin-russia-defense-ministry-investigation/; Rob Picheta, Simone McCarthy, Tara John, Mariya Knight, Lauren Kent, Katharina Krebs, Josh Pennington and Uliana Pavlova, “Putin vows to punish ‘armed uprising’ by Wagner militia as Russia is plunged into crisis,” CNN, June 24, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/23/europe/russia-mod-wagner-yevgeny-prigozhin-intl/index.html; Pjotr Sauer, “Belarusian leader confirms arrival of exiled Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin,” Guardian, June 27, 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/27/belarus-exiled-wagner-chief-yevgeny-prigozhin-russia-ukraine; Phil Helsel, “What is the Wagner Group? A look at the mercenary group led by man accused of 'armed mutiny' in Russia,” NBC News, June 23, 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/what-is-the-wagner-group-rcna90923; “What is Russia's Wagner mercenary group and where is its leader, Prigozhin?,” BBC News, July 6, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60947877; “Why is Bakhmut important in the Russia-Ukraine war?,” Al Jazeera, May 21, 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/21/why-is-bakhmut-important-in-the-russia-ukraine-war.

On August 23, 2023, media sources reported that a plane carrying Prigozhin crashed in Tver region, Russia. All 10 passengers were killed. According to a Wagner-linked Telegram channel, the plane was shot down by air defense. Russian officials claimed Prigozhin’s name was on the list of passengers.Max Seddon, “Yevgeny Prigozhin was passenger on crashed plane, Russian officials say,” Financial Times, August 23, 2023, https://www.ft.com/content/812c9da3-80f2-4fe1-8fad-0b4441d1977a; “Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin 'on board' crashed Russian plane,” BBC News, August 23, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66599733.

Doctrine:

Although the Wagner Group does not promote a specific doctrine or philosophy, the group advances Russian interests in either geostrategic or resource-rich countries experiencing political instability. The group is outwardly motivated by Russian nationalism. However, Wagner has also demonstrated the ability to enrich itself by exploiting precious metals and other valuable natural resources throughout Africa. According to a February 2023 U.S. national intelligence report, Russia has used Wagner to “try to undercut U.S. leadership; present itself as an indispensable mediator and security partner; and gain military access rights and economic opportunities.” Colin P. Clark, “What Happens Next with the Wagner Group?,” Foreign Policy Research Institute, May 18, 2023, https://www.fpri.org/article/2023/05/what-happens-next-with-the-wagner-group/; “Annual Threat Assessment Of The U.S. Intelligence Community,” Office of the Director of National Intelligence, February 6, 2023, https://www.odni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/ATA-2023-Unclassified-Report.pdf.

Organizational Structure:

The Wagner Group is not a single entity but a collection businesses and mercenary groups that operate across the globe.“Wagner Group: Council adds 11 individuals and 7 entities to EU sanctions lists,” Council of the European Union, February 25, 2023, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/02/25/wagner-group-council-adds-11-individuals-and-7-entities-to-eu-sanctions-lists/. Although Dmitry Utkin is the founder of the group, Wagner is financially and publicly fronted by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former close Putin ally.Stewart Bell, “In Prigozhin’s shadow, the Wagner Group leader who stays out of the spotlight,” Global News, June 30, 2023, https://globalnews.ca/news/9801903/prigozhin-wagner-group-leader-dmitry-utkin/. Although claiming to be an independent organization, Wagner’s operations are closely connected to the Russian military and intelligence community.“Band of Brothers: The Wagner Group and the Russian State,” Center for Strategic and International Studies, September 21, 2020, https://www.csis.org/blogs/post-soviet-post/band-brothers-wagner-group-and-russian-state; Nathan Hodge, “Russian warlord’s feud with Putin’s generals explodes into the open with gruesome PR campaign,” CNN, February 23, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/23/europe/russia-ukraine-yevgeny-prigozhin-wagner-campaign-intl-cmd/index.html. While Russian law does not allow the existence of private military companies, Wagner is registered abroad as a complex network of various front companies. “Examining the Wagner Group, a private military company that Russia has relied on,” NPR, February 6, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/02/06/1154739417/examining-the-wagner-group-a-private-military-company-that-russia-has-relied-on.

Wagner not only has a public relations arm—the internationally designated Foundation for the Defence of National Values (FDNV)—but also has a company called M-Invest that operates an African outpost, Meroe Gold, in Sudan. Wagner also reportedly operates a radio station called Lengo Sengo in CAR. The station was sanctioned by the European Union in 2023 for engaging in online influence operations on behalf of Russia to manipulate public opinion. “Wagner Group: Council adds 11 individuals and 7 entities to EU sanctions lists,” Council of the European Union, February 25, 2023, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/02/25/wagner-group-council-adds-11-individuals-and-7-entities-to-eu-sanctions-lists/.

Wagner has also worked closely with U.S. Specially Designated National (SDN) entities such as the Internet Research Agency (IRA), Prigozhin-owned online “troll farm,” and the Association for Free Research and International Cooperation (AFRIC). Both companies have perpetrated disinformation campaigns. For example, prior to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the IRA outsourced work to individuals in Ghana and Nigeria to push content to instigate political divisions in the United States. AFRIC reportedly sponsored “phony election monitoring” in several African nations, including Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Prigozhin has also been accused of co-opting Pan-Africanist movements to promulgate anti-French and anti-Western messages.William Rampe, “What Is Russia’s Wagner Group Doing in Africa?,” Council on Foreign Relations, May 23, 2023, https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/what-russias-wagner-group-doing-africa.

Financing:

The Wagner Group funds its brutal and far-flung operations in part by exploiting natural resources in the countries where they operate. Proceeds from gold and metal mining has allowed Wagner to sustain and expand its mercenary forces.“Treasury Sanctions Illicit Gold Companies Funding Wagner Forces and Wagner Group Facilitator,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, June 27, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1581. In Syria, for example, Wagner was paid in natural resources, specifically oil and gas. By being paid in commodities and precious metals, Wagner’s various facilitators and front companies are able to evade sanctions imposed by the U.S. and Europe that criminalize financial cooperation with designated entities. “The Wagner Group: A Russian Symphony of Profit and Politics,” The Cipher Brief, https://www.thecipherbrief.com/column_article/the-wagner-group-a-russian-symphony-of-profit-and-politics.

Prigozhin is often cited as one of the primary funders of Wagner, although, the level of funding he has allocated to the group has not been documented. Stewart Bell, “In Prigozhin’s shadow, the Wagner Group leader who stays out of the spotlight,” Global News, June 30, 2023, https://globalnews.ca/news/9801903/prigozhin-wagner-group-leader-dmitry-utkin/. However, according to Putin, the financing of the entire Wagner Group was fully provided by the Russian state. Putin claims that from “May 2022 to May 2023, the state paid 86 billion, 262 million roubles [around $1 billion], to the Wagner Group for monetary maintenance and incentive payments.” Ukrainska Pravda, “Wagner Group is fully financed from state budget, it has received US $1 billion – Putin,” Yahoo News, June 27, 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/wagner-group-fully-financed-state-130730416.html.

Recruitment:

According to 2023 figures, Wagner reportedly boasted a recruited troop size of 50,000 inside Ukraine alone. Of the 50,000 fighters, 40,000 are convicts released from Russian prisons.Phil Helsel, “What is the Wagner Group? A look at the mercenary group led by man accused of 'armed mutiny' in Russia,” NBC News, June 23, 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/what-is-the-wagner-group-rcna90923. The men are recruited for six-month contracts, with some convicts being guaranteed presidential pardons following their tours.“Russia pardons over 5,000 convicts after fighting in Ukraine with Wagner Group,” France 24, March 25, 2023, https://www.france24.com/en/russia/20230325-russia-pardons-over-5-000-convicts-after-fighting-in-ukraine-with-wagner-group. Those recruits have paid a high price for a chance at freedom. According to the White House, recruited convicts comprised 90% of all casualties along the front lines in Ukraine.Igor Tsikhanenka, “Wagner Group’s Use of Convicts in Ukraine Echoes Stalinist Tactics,” Voice of America, January 24, 2023, https://www.voanews.com/a/wagner-group-s-use-of-convicts-in-ukraine-echoes-stalinist-tactics/6932903.html.

As the face of Wagner, Prigozhin is skilled in social media, and has used social media platforms to build communication networks with military correspondents, bloggers, and potential recruits across the globe.Haley Ott, Kerry Breen, and Duarte Dias, “What is the Wagner Group, and who is Yevgeny Prigozhin? What to know about the Russian private military company,” CBS News, June 27, 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wagner-group-who-is-yevgeny-prigozhin-russia-mercenary-private-military-company/. Recruitment posts are not limited to Russian-speaking countries. Researchers have discovered Wagner recruitment material translated into 16 languages across Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms. Among the languages featured in recruitment documents are Vietnamese, French, Polish, and Spanish among others. By advertising their generous compensation package of 240,000 rubles—around $2,700, per month—Wagner seeks to recruit from all corners of the world. Since Wagner is not considered an international terrorist organization, its online activity is not subject to extensive moderation which provides the group unlimited access across social media platforms. “How Russian mercenary Wagner Group uses social media to recruit new members around the world,” Euronews, June 1, 2023, https://www.euronews.com/2023/06/01/how-russian-mercenary-wagner-group-uses-social-media-to-recruit-new-members-around-the-wor.

In April 2023, the Institute for the Study of War claimed that the Wagner Group has even recruited Ukrainian children to fight on the side of Russia. Videos shared on the Telegram platform showed young children training with assault rifles while alleged Wagner troops looked on.“Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 13, 2023,” Institute for the Study of War, April 13, 2023, https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-13-2023.

Training:

Details of the Wagner Group’s training have not been released. However, upon deployment, Wagner personnel provide training for local military and security forces. They also regularly provide security for prominent officials. If deployed for counterterrorism, Wagner conducts high intensity operations and are not always held accountable for their actions.Haley Ott, Kerry Breen, and Duarte Dias, “What is the Wagner Group, and who is Yevgeny Prigozhin? What to know about the Russian private military company,” CBS News, June 27, 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wagner-group-who-is-yevgeny-prigozhin-russia-mercenary-private-military-company/. In many cases, Wagner is supplemented by official Russian military assistance, such as in Mali, where the local armed forces received combat and surveillance aircraft from Moscow.William Rampe, “What Is Russia’s Wagner Group Doing in Africa?,” Council on Foreign Relations, May 23, 2023, https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/what-russias-wagner-group-doing-africa.