MOSCOW: Russia’s Wagner mercenary group on Monday stated that it now operates exclusively in Africa and Belarus, with no involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
This announcement follows Ukraine’s recent calls for Belarus to withdraw significant military forces, including Belarusian special forces and former Wagner mercenaries, from their shared border.
In a rare public statement, Wagner clarified that its personnel are not part of the Russian National Guard, the Russian Ministry of Defense, or any other Russian military entity. The group emphasized, “Wagner is not participating in the Special Military Operation at this stage,” referring to the Kremlin’s term for the war in Ukraine.
Wagner’s activities in Africa, including support for Mali’s military junta, have raised concerns in the West. The group was notably active in Ukraine, particularly during the protracted battle for Bakhmut, which it captured in May 2023.
The group’s founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led a brief rebellion against Russia’s defence establishment in June 2023, was killed in a plane crash on August 23, 2023, along with other senior Wagner leaders. The group indicated that any future changes in its operational status will be announced if they occur.
