How does Wagner Group’s power measure as much as the Russian state army?

The boss of the Wagner mercenary group seems to fancy his possibilities in terms of the march on Moscow – one thing Russian chief Vladimir Putin has referred to as “armed mutiny”.

Troops aligned with the one-time ally of Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, have left Ukraine and begun the journey to the Russan capital – one thing he calls a “march of justice” – in an effort to oust defence minister Sergei Shoigu.

But how does the group of contracted fighters measure as much as the ability of Russia, which has one of many greatest militaries on the planet?

Mystery aircraft leaves Moscow – Ukraine war latest

How many troopers does the Wagner Group have?

White House officers estimate the non-public mercenary group employs round 50,000 troopers – most of them believed to be assigned to Ukraine.

Of these, 40,000 are considered convicts who’ve been employed from prisons in Russia.

While estimates differ, as much as 9,000 Wagner troops are thought to have died within the Ukraine battle, in response to US estimates, with round 20,000 injured.

Exactly what number of are concerned within the march to Moscow is at present unclear.

How many troopers does Putin have?

Russia’s official army is estimated to be the fifth largest on the planet, with roughly a million energetic personnel.

The nation claims most of its fighters in Ukraine are volunteers, with the Institute for the Study of War placing the variety of troops there at round 300,000.

Vladimir Putin has referred to as for a rise in troop numbers, in addition to the variety of reservists.

Western officers have estimated Russia has misplaced greater than 100,000 troops on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Read extra
The former hot dog seller and thug who became Wagner boss
Prigozhin was disaster waiting to happen for Putin – analysis

How succesful are the Wagner troopers?

The pressure used to solely tackle battle-hardened troops, largely made up of retired Russian fighters as much as age 55, nevertheless it additionally contains fighters from different international locations.

However, entry situations have been widened and so they now tackle anybody prepared to kill for them – that means some might have questionable combating abilities and self-discipline.

What weapons do Putin’s troopers have?

The military has entry to an arsenal of Russian and Soviet-era weapons.

It contains submachine weapons, assault weapons, sniper rifles, grenade launchers, floor to air missiles, tanks, fight automobiles and mines.

Photos present machine weapons have been arrange on Moscow’s borders as Wagner troops advance.

However, a few of Russia’s gear utilized in Ukraine dates again to the communist period.

Sixty-year-old T-62 tanks and armoured personnel carriers courting again to the Nineteen Fifties have additionally been seen, in response to a MoD replace in March.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

What weapons do Wagner troopers have?

The group has – till now – been combating alongside Russian troopers in Ukraine and so they have shared weapons together with tanks and air defence tools.

However, Wagner is alleged to have bought further weapons from North Korea.

The US claimed final 12 months that Pyongyang had equipped the group with weapons, together with artillery shells, nevertheless it denied the hypothesis as “gossip”.

Some of its army {hardware} was reportedly attacked by Russian helicopters because it was being transported in convoy in the direction of Moscow on Saturday, in response to Prigozhin.

How a lot do the troopers receives a commission?

Wagner boss Prigozhin is rich after rising from humble beginnings selling hotdogs to arrange a community of companies.

It’s unclear precisely how a lot his mercenaries obtain – some studies put it at round £9,000 a month, others as little as just a few hundred.

Moscow’s troops, in the meantime, had been being provided a minimal of 160,000 rubles (£1,522) per 30 days throughout a recruitment drive in September.

However, unbiased Russian outlet Vertska believes many have seen delays to funds, or haven’t been paid in any respect.