But what is the Wagner Group - and who is pulling the strings?

In Libya, it’s thought that Wagner mercenaries have been actively involved in armed engagements since 2019, in the service of General Khalifa Haftar. Wagner operatives are also blamed for numerous war crimes. But often, there are no witnesses to their activities. 

 

 

 

Since it was set up in 2014, head of the Wagner Group was Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman with strong links to the Kremlin. Moscow long denied any links between the private army and the Russian State.

 

 

 

UN observers say thousands of Wagner fighters are currently deployed to conflict zones outside Russia. Two BBC journalists established contact with two former operatives and interviewed them about their time with the paramilitary organization. In the documentary, they report on the mercenary group’s operations and what motivates members to join in the first place.

In June 2023 Wagner boss Prigozhin took the world by surprise when he ordered his troops to suddenly march on Moscow. This apparent coup ended after just one day following negotiations with Russian President, Vladimir Putin. The deal allowed for Prigozhin to go into exile in Belarus, and some Wagner members were to be absorbed by the Russian Army.

On 23 August 2023 Russian media outlets reported the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash north of Moscow. 
 

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