Wagner has some 50,000 personnel deployed in Ukraine in an effort to bolster Russia’s warfare effort there, in line with US assessments.
(Daniel Cole / AP)
The United States has decided the Wagner Group, Russia’s personal army company, is a global “criminal corporation”. Washington DC has additionally promised so as to add additional sanctions to the Kremlin-linked agency.
In addition to the Treasury Department’s choice to label Wagner as a “significant transnational criminal organisation”, the Biden administration will impose financial penalties on the organisation and its “support network” subsequent week, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby informed reporters on Friday.
“These actions recognise the transcontinental threat that Wagner poses, including through its ongoing pattern of serious criminal activity,” mentioned Kirby.
“Our message to any company that is considering providing support to Wagner is simply this: Wagner is a criminal organisation that is committing widespread atrocities and human rights abuses,” he added.
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Wagner has some 50,000 personnel deployed in Ukraine in an effort to bolster Russia’s warfare effort there, in line with US assessments.
Global presence
The agency has been pivotal to Russia’s latest positive aspects within the Donbass, and has been concerned in battle worldwide, together with in Libya, the Central African Republic and Mali.
On Thursday, Evgeny Prigozhin, the group’s chief, mentioned his mercenaries “completely took control” of Kleshcheyevka, a key suburb of the town of Bakhmut by means of which Ukrainian troops had been provided with weapons and army tools.
Prigozhin claimed “fierce battles” continued round Kleshcheyevka, with the Ukrainians “clinging onto every meter of ground.”
“Contrary to various opinions that the AFU (armed forces of Ukraine) is fleeing from Artyomovsk (Russian name for Bakhmut), this is not the case.
“The AFU works clearly, easily. We have loads to be taught from them. But in any case, the items of the Wagner PMC are transferring ahead metre by metre. The settlement of Artyomovsk can be taken,” he mentioned.
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Source: TRTWorld and companies
