Wagner describes itself as a private military company, but its opponents accuse it of being the cover through which Russia exercises its influence in many conflict areas of the world. What is the real role of these militias with their growing presence in many conflict areas in the world?
And with the escalation of Wagner's role, especially in Russia's war on Ukraine, the debate about it is increasing, to the extent that the US National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, confirmed that it has nearly 50,000 personnel deployed in Ukraine, and that Russian President Vladimir Putin has become dependent on it, especially since Its military capabilities exceeded those of any private Western security company, thanks to the support of the Kremlin, which took it as a means to secure its presence and expand its influence in different regions of the world.
In the politicians’ analysis of the work of this company, Omar Ashour, a professor of security and strategic studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, said - in his interview with the “Scenarios” program (26/1/2023) - that Wagens is an irregular force that has common weapons and artillery armor, and has intelligence and electronic capabilities. As well as capabilities to mobilize pilots and infantry.
profitable loss
He added that the political dimension of Wagner is clear, and what distinguishes it from the Russian army is the mobilization of fighters from prisons to besiege the Ukrainians, and this is what makes them able to continue their offensive despite the loss.
On the other hand, the military expert and reserve colonel in the Russian army, Victor Litovkin, indicated that the history of Wagner inflates it more than its reality and true strength, considering that it is a private military company that serves reserve officers or retirees to carry out military missions within the framework of contracts linking it with governments or companies, and he explained that Wagner works to serve prisoners who submit a request to repent of their sins - according to him - and it is not the only military company in the world that provides security services.
On the American level, Hafez Al-Ghawil, a senior researcher at the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins University, explained that the legal framework for such companies in America provides the possibility of establishing a military company that provides services to the US army.
However, the work of these companies takes place within the framework of clear controls in American law that do not allow such companies to engage in civil wars in unsupervised ways, but rather impose clear legal rules, unlike Wagner, which is tainted by great ambiguity, which is intended, especially since it does not exist in Russia. A law allowing the establishment of such companies.
international "criminal" organization
It is noteworthy that Wagner has reached the level of well-trained and armed forces, and it is supporting the Russian army.
The Russian private military "Wagner" militia was established in early May 2014. It was established by Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, known for his loyalty to the Kremlin and his closeness to President Vladimir Putin.
His first official statement was to acknowledge the existence of the company, and his presidency of it this year, after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
The first military appearance of Wagner fighters was in the war in Donbass in 2014, then its fighters participated in the Russian military operation in Syria in 2016. After that, Wagner’s star emerged in Libya in 2019, Central Africa, Sudan, Mali and various African countries.
The Wagner private military company participated in the war in Ukraine months after its launch, and its presence focused on the Solidar and Bakhmut axis in Donetsk Province.
It first began operating with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, and has carried out attacks in eastern Ukraine.
British officials say the number of Wagner fighters has risen from about 1,000 to nearly 20,000 in Ukraine, about 10 percent of the total Russian forces on the ground.
Prigozhin opened the first Wagner headquarters in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, and said in his statement, "The Wagner Center's mission is to provide a comfortable environment for generating new ideas in order to improve Russia's defense capability."
The improvement of Russia's defense capability does not hide the truth about the accusations against Wagner of sending its militants to several countries in Latin America and Africa, and of carrying out what are described as dirty operations in various conflict zones.
In Syria, Wagner has deployed to support the Syrian regime since 2016, especially around the oil fields in Deir ez-Zor, and has grabbed more attention after a number of its members were killed in an American raid in 2018.
The group has been active in Libya since 2016 and supports forces loyal to retired Major General Khalifa Haftar.
A confidential United Nations report revealed the presence of more than a thousand of its members, but other reports estimate them to be in the thousands.
What penalties are you subject to?
In 2017, the US imposed sanctions on the Wagner Group, with the Commerce Department adding it to its export control entity list in response to allegations that it was fueling violence in eastern Ukraine.
And in 2020, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Yevgeny Prigozhin Malik Wagner for what it called "promoting the malign influence of Russia" in the Central African Republic.
The United States imposed more sanctions on Prigozhin in 2021 for his alleged interference in the US elections.
On December 13, 2021, the European Union imposed sanctions on the Wagner Group, as well as on 8 individuals and 3 energy companies in Syria accused of helping to finance mercenaries in Ukraine, Libya and Syria.
After the start of the Russian war in Ukraine, the US Treasury said that Prigozhin faced further restrictions because of his role in "financing" Putin.