The Biden Administration is considering designating the Wagner Group, owned by a Russian businessman with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as a foreign terrorist organization.
People familiar with the matter have explained that the U.S. decision to designate Wagner Group as a terrorist is part of Washington’s efforts to sanction the group for its involvement in the war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.
However, at the moment the Biden administration has not made a final decision on the designation, which would allow criminal prosecutions against the group and its members, as well as pursuing its assets.
The White House and the State Department have not issued statements regarding this news.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Intelligence Service claimed in October that more than 8,000 Wagner Group fighters have been involved at some point in the invasion that has been underway for nine months since it was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a «special operation».
«More than 8,000 Wagner Group mercenaries are engaged in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine. Most of the units are currently located in the areas along the frontline,» Kiev assured.
«Most of the personnel of these assault units consist of mercenaries recruited from the prison population,» the message made public by the Intelligence Service via its Telegram channel noted.
