Washington designates Russian paramilitary group Wagner as a criminal organization
People dressed in military fatigues in front of Wagner's headquarters in Saint Petersburg on November 4, 2022. AFP - OLGA MALTSEVA
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The Russian private paramilitary group Wagner has been designated by the United States as an international criminal organization.
This is the decision taken in Washington in reaction to the role played by the company in Ukraine.
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With our correspondent in Washington,
Guillaume Naudin
It is a decision that puts the Wagner group on the same level as the mafia or any other organized crime entity.
It is because the group led by Evgueni Prigojine acts as such.
And he's going to be treated as such according to US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
“
Wagner is a criminal organization that commits vast atrocities and human rights abuses.
And we will work tirelessly to identify, disrupt and expose and target those who help Wagner.
»
According to John Kirby, in Bakhmout and Soledar, the group literally dumps bodies into a real meat grinder in an attempt to take these towns that have become symbols.
It must be said that he does not necessarily care about all his employees.
“
We continue to believe that Wagner currently has 50,000 men in Ukraine, including 10,000 employees and 40,000 convicts.
Our information indicates that the Russian Ministry of Defense has reservations about Wagner's recruitment methods.
Despite this, we believe it is likely that Wagner will continue to recruit from Russian prisons.
»
US intelligence reports growing tensions between the Russian army and the paramilitary group accused by the United States of defending its own interests.
Earlier this week, the Kremlin denied and its spokesman denounced manipulation.
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