Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1488818
group began to invite people that it had blacklisted in the past - who had been rejected or fired. The Wagner Group units at the frontline at the time had a higher combat quality than other, frontline Russian units. They were used as assault infantry in the battle of Donbas. The active involvement on the part of the Wagner Group was recorded in Popasna and Severdonetsk, with some successes, and major losses, also among the Group's mercenaries. Large losses of personnel are relevant, as the Russian authorities are reluctant when it comes to formally announcing a state of war and mobilization. This leads to dramatic attempts to get more people to fight - and now, the Wagner Group's situation has significantly changed for that reason. The Russian authorities decided to make use of the Wagner Group brand, known in Russia, to draw more warfighters to the frontline. An independent investigation launched by journalists in Kyrgyzstan shows that Wagner Group operatives work in the country, recruiting personnel. The authorities in Uzbekistan, meanwhile, decided to remind the citizens of the penal consequences they would face if they got involved in a war in a foreign state, as a part of foreign armies or detachments. The Wagner Group's recruitment campaign has suddenly become chaotic. Interviews and diligent screening of the candidates were no longer the case. Now, browsing the Russian Vkontakte social network I am observing regular Wagner Group advertisement campaigns, announcing the recruitment of potential mercenaries. Anyone can find a manual on how one can become a part of the self-proclaimed "Orchestra". Open, overt advertising of the Wagner Group can also be spotted in numerous cities in Russia. No combat, or previous military experience, and no criminal record requirements apply. Anybody willing may sign a contract with one of Prigozhin's companies, officially working as a security guard. Nobody is hiding the final destination or purpose though. This policy is killing the Wagner Group, tearing down its reputation, and busting the myths created around it. And in Russia, the group achieved elite status, as an organization employing professionals. Now, with a demand for cannon fodder at the Kremlin, the Group burns down all of its principles and rules. This shows that the Wagner Group is not a PMC. It is an illegal army, managed by the Kremlin. Elite troops in the Wagner Group create separate elements internally, known as "the League", not to get confused with the new breed of mercenaries - of dubious value. Why Wagner, and not Tchaikovsky? Has any of the readers ever wondered where the name of the Russian mercenaries came from? Why Wagner, not Tchaikovsky, or Rachmaninov? Some may claim Wagner sounds better. But the matter is far more trivial. When back in 2013 Prigozhin was trying to establish the first elements consisting of mercenaries, the secret army was initially led by Russian Spetsnaz Lt. Col. Dmitriy Utkin "Wagner", a former commander of the GRU 2nd Spetsnaz Brigade. Hence the name derived from the commander's nickname. Concluding Note The Prigozhin's organization can be viewed as Putin's secret service, with a supply chain and military component of its own, its intelligence support, and a long list of numerous civil experts. The influence that group has is impressive, to say the least. The Wagner Group is just a part of it, it could be viewed as a fist. The emergence of such an illegal service is caused by the fact that at its heart, the Russian power structure resembles a criminal organization like the mafia. For the Russian authorities, it is a good thing to gather people of a bad reputation in the Wagner Group - they are dependent on the regime, and that dependence grows along with their criminal records. The organization, as a whole, is placed outside the Russian legal system in its entirety; all of its members are criminals, and they did not receive penalties only due to the approval received from the authorities. The organizational structure of the Group evolves due to mass recruitment, with many new, inexperienced people being drafted. This would become a new challenge, but it would also allow Prigozhin to have more influence on the Russian power structure. The greater the involvement of the Wagner Group in Ukraine, the more money is transferred www.fragoutmag.com