Following the death of Prigozhin, various Russian security groups and oligarchs linked to the Kremlin are moving to absorb thousands of Wagner soldiers. This action aims to retain experienced troops for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and to maintain Russian influence in parts of Africa. Prigozhin, who founded the Wagner PMC, died in a plane crash, which U.S. intelligence officials suspect to be an assassination. Before his death, Prigozhin had threatened to challenge Russia’s military establishment, posing a significant challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authority.
The Kremlin is seeking to take control of Wagner’s valuable military assets, including battle-tested and skilled soldiers who have been deployed in Ukraine. Prigozhin had built a presence in several countries in the Middle East and Africa, with approximately 6,000 fighters often providing security to local political leaders in exchange for access to valuable resources. The Kremlin is also beginning to take control of these units. Various Russian private military groups, often with ties to the Kremlin, have been involved in the conflict in Ukraine, partly as a way to gain favor with Putin. These groups have connections to Russian intelligence officers, oligarchs close to Putin, and state companies.
One of the companies, Redut, is reportedly recruiting former Wagner soldiers who had fought in Ukraine. Redut is a security contractor for Russian companies operating in the Middle East and is financed by Gennady Timchenko, an oligarch with close ties to Putin. Some Wagner fighters have been hesitant to sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry due to past hostility with Wagner. The Ministry of Defense is actively trying to attract former Wagner fighters into its ranks. Redut and Convoy, another PMC with ties to the Defense Ministry and the Kremlin, are competing to replace Wagner in its operations abroad, particularly in Africa.
In various countries like Libya and the Central African Republic, private military groups are expected to take over Wagner units. These groups may pay the soldiers but are expected to be tightly controlled by Russian military intelligence (GRU). Russian officials have been involved in meetings and negotiations related to the transition of Wagner units to private military groups in Africa, demonstrating Russia’s continued influence in these regions.
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SOURCE
WSJ