The Changing Landscape of Mercenary Business Management: Russian Government’s Role Revealed

2023-06-28 23:05:00

“The subject of mercenary business management will change”

Russian government informs Syrian president

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a conference on the development of tourism in the North Caucasus Federal District in Derbent on February 28 (local time). TASS Yonhap News

The Russian government hinted that it would directly intervene in the African mercenary business of the Wagner Group, a private military company (PMC) led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. In fact, there is an analysis that the Wagner Group has entered the stage of dissolution.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 28th (local time) that Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken steps to take over the ‘mercenary business network’ built by the Wagner Group around the world.

According to reports, a senior Russian foreign ministry official visited Syria following the Prigozhin rebellion was put down on the 25th and told President Bashar al-Assad, “The Wagner group’s mercenary business management entity will change.”

The WSJ reported that the same message was delivered to Mali and the Central African Republic in Africa, where the Wagner group was active.

Prigogine has received various concessions, such as mineral mining rights and port rights, in exchange for military support in some countries in Africa and the Middle East. The money earned by the Wagner Group from these businesses amounts to hundreds of billions of won annually.

President Putin and the Russian government used the Wagner Group’s military power to exert influence in Africa and the Middle East, but avoided involvement in mercenary activities and concessional businesses. In particular, regarding the atrocities such as the killing of civilians by the Wagner group in the area, it also drew a line saying that it was “not related to the government.”

However, it appears that President Putin, outraged by the Prigozhin armed rebellion, has decided to take direct control of the Wagner Group’s operations in Africa and the Middle East.

John Peter Pam, who served as a special envoy for Southern Africa in the Donald Trump administration, told the WSJ that “The Wagner group’s activities have helped Russia gain influence in the region.” that” he analyzed.

After the uprising, the Russian government is taking over equipment such as heavy weapons from the Wagner Group and is working on absorbing the Ministry of Defense. Mercenaries belonging to the Wagner Group have also been given the option of contracting with the Russian Ministry of Defense.

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