The head of the Wagner Group – a Russian private army -, Yevgeny Prigozhin, reported on May 24 that his group lost more than 20,000 soldiers during the battle for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
According to information reviewed by Euronews, half of these soldiers were prisoners recruited from Russian jails.
The Ukrainian government confirmed, on May 28, that the troops of the Wagner group had been “defeated” by Ukrainian forces.
Despite this, Prigozhin reported that the kyiv troops began to withdraw from the city of Bakhmut, as they also suffered a considerable number of casualties.
What is the Wagner Group?
The Wagner Group is a private Russian paramilitary unit owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman who, according to DW, has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to various investigations, the Wagner Group has become a political instrument of Russia throughout the world. An investigation by Christopher Faulkner revealed that this company, dubbed a private military company (PMC), has cultivated relationships with multiple governments in Africa, exchanging military services for mining concessions and political favors.
According to statements by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reviewed by the BBC, the Wagner Group has at least 50,000 fighters on Ukrainian territory, and has become a key element in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
At least 80% of the Wagner Group troops in Ukraine have been released from prisons, according to the United Nations Security Council.
Keep reading:
– kyiv gradually withdraws its troops from the city of Bakhmut due to the number of casualties
– Ukrainian spy chief admits to plot to assassinate Vladimir Putin
– Ukraine confirms that the troops of the Wagner Group are withdrawing from Bakhmut after taking the city