The Wagner Group, a network of mercenaries linked to the Kremlin, has «up to 50,000» troops on the front line in Ukraine, according to estimates by UK intelligence services, which describe this contingent as a «key» tool of the Russian offensive.
The British military intelligence has confirmed that the Wagner Group has been listed since December 27 as a legal entity in the Russian registry, registered, however, as a company basically dedicated to consultancy work, «without mentioning combat services».
For the UK authorities, this step seems to be aimed at maximizing the commercial benefits of the firm founded by Yevgeni Prigozhin, who made his fortune mainly in the catering business. In addition, the registration would also seek to «legitimize» the group.
London does not know to what extent the officially registered company also manages paramilitary activity taking place in countries such as Ukraine, as well as in several African countries, to the extent that private military firms remain illegal in Russia.
The role of the Wagner Group, which has used prisoners to increase its mobilization capacity, has been key in eastern Ukraine, where Russia has in recent days made gains in symbolic positions such as Soledar. In fact, the group considered the locality of Soledar as conquered.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
