Wagner might encourage rise in harmful mercenary teams, warns UK report

The rise of Russia’s non-public military, the Wagner Group, to world prominence because the begin of the conflict in Ukraine might threat different Western adversaries adopting related mercenary forces, a UN official has warned a committee of MPs.

The Foreign Affairs Committee has launched surprising findings following an investigation into Wagner’s actions around the globe.

The Chair of the UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries has cautioned the MPs that different nations may comply with Russia‘s lead.

Sorcha MacLeod suggested that the UN Working Group has tracked a particularly regarding rise in using mercenaries not simply by Russia however by different nations too.

The Committee’s report revealed on Wednesday additionally identified the rising urge for food by the Chinese state to deploy non-public safety firms to safe key infrastructure alongside Beijing’s notorious “Belt and Road” mega venture.

In the report, Ms Maclead mentioned: “We are seeing growing use of them. We are seeing them getting used not simply by Russia but in addition by different nations, and this can be very regarding to the working group that that pattern is rising.

“We revealed a report in 2020 that was submitted to the UN General Assembly. We highlighted the brand new manifestations, the proxy actors.”

She added: “From our perspective, the largest concern is the insertion and deployment of some of these actors into armed conflicts the place they don’t assist the state of affairs.”

The report entitled ‘Guns for Gold: The Wagner Network Exposed’ also argued that as the fallout from the Wagner Network unfolds, attention should be given to Syria and Iran’s involvement with PMCs.

The research gives new light on the Wagner Network’s operations and its tight ties with the Russian state, and includes testimony from a former top Wagner fighter who reveals previously unknown facts.

As part of its investigation, the Committee commissioned open-source investigative research for the first time, resulting in the identification of Wagner-connected individuals and organisations.

The report harshly criticises the government’s response to the Wagner Network’s threats and recommends for a drastic shift in strategy to disrupt its operations.

Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Alicia Kearns MP, said: “This is a landmark report and exposes the darkish underbelly of a community that till lately thrived within the shadows.

“In the ten years since the Wagner Network’s formation, the UK Government has lacked a coherent strategy and efforts to meaningfully tackle Wagner have been non-existent.

“This has allowed the community to develop, unfold its tentacles deep into Africa, and exploit nations on their knees as a result of battle or instability.

“Where the West moves out, Wagner moves in, seeing opportunity in suffering and profit in chaos. Today’s report lays bare the activities of the network in seven key countries, where there is clear evidence of Wagner operations.

“The UK should present another for nations which are struggling; those that really feel deserted by the developed world and see the Wagner Network as a supplier of safety. Partnership with the Wagner Network is not only helpful to the Russian Government, it’s a international coverage aim of the Kremlin to drive failing states to depend on the Wagner Network.

“We are deeply concerned by the Government’s dismal lack of understanding of Wagner’s hold beyond Europe, in particular their grip on African states. This is a fundamental failing of joined up government; ministers appear to be in denial about the consequences of failing to tackle this malign business model before it takes hold.

“If we’re to undermine the operations of the Wagner Network, we have to sever the community’s wealth at its supply. We are calling for the Government to sanction organisations and people identified to prop up Wagner – quicker and tougher than earlier than. We are unconvinced that the Government’s ‘sanction’ of the group actually captures the advanced net of entities beneath it.

“In the wake of the attempted coup last month, the future manifestations of the Wagner Network are uncertain. With the network at its most vulnerable – and the clock ticking – the time for action is now.”