The Latest Breaking News from Wagner

Russian-Installed Donetsk Chief Says Wagner Units Making Progress in Bakhmut

The Russian-installed governor of Ukraine's Donetsk region said on Wednesday that units of the Wagner contract militia were advancing in the town of Bakhmut, with fighting taking place in previously Ukrainian-held neighborhoods. Reuters could not independently confirm the battlefield claim by Denis Pushilin, the Russian-imposed head of the region, whose…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 25, 2023

Russia claims progress in Bakhmut, Ukraine says fighting fierce

The head of the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine's Donetsk region said on Wednesday that units of the Wagner contract militia were advancing in the town of Bakhmut and a senior Ukrainian official said fighting there and in a second town was growing fiercer.

Reuters · Jan 25, 2023

Russian mercenary boss asks parliament to ban negative media reports about his men

The founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary group fighting in Ukraine has asked parliament to ban negative media reports about his men by amending the criminal code to make "discrediting" his fighters punishable by up to five years in jail.

Reuters · Jan 24, 2023

Former Wagner Group commander who fled to Norway arrested by police

Andrey Medvedev, who is seeking asylum after claiming to witness war crimes in Ukraine, fears deportation to Russia

The Guardian - UK · Jan 23, 2023

Norway detains former Wagner commander, denies any plan to deport him to Russia

Norwegian police have detained a former commander of Russia's Wagner mercenary group who recently fled to Norway, but denied suggestions that he might be deported to Russia.

Reuters · Jan 23, 2023

Russia’s new commander in Ukraine launches ‘farcical’ crackdown on troops’ shaving standards

A new campaign for smarter soldiers has been met with criticism amid heavy casualties

Evening Standard · Jan 23, 2023

Kremlin Says Ukrainians Will Suffer If Europe Sends Tanks

The Kremlin said on Monday that the Ukrainian people would suffer if the West sent tanks to support Kyiv, as the question of whether German-made Leopard tanks will be transferred to Ukraine remained unresolved. The United States and its allies failed during talks last week in Germany to convince Berlin…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 23, 2023

Germany Signals Shift in Veto on Leopard Tanks for Ukraine

Germany would not stand in the way if Poland wants to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Germany's foreign minister said, signaling a possible breakthrough for Ukraine as it tries to bolster its forces ahead of an expected new Russian offensive. Eleven months after Russia invaded its southern neighbor,…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 23, 2023

Russian Wagner boss acknowledges comparison with Rasputin

Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin responded to comparisons between himself and the monk Rasputin who treated the son of the last tsar for haemophilia, saying on Sunday his job was not to staunch bleeding but to spill the blood of Russia's enemies.

Reuters · Jan 23, 2023

US labels Russia’s Wagner Group a criminal organization in new bid to blunt its power

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration designated Russia’s Wagner Group a transnational criminal organization in a new effort to blunt the mercenary company’s powerful role on the battlefield in Ukraine and around the world.

Tribune News Service · Jan 21, 2023