Main content

What is the Wagner Group?

The Wagner Group has been linked to conflicts around the world. Andrei Goryanov explains who they are, where they have been and how aligned they are with President Putin.

The Wagner group has been linked to military conflicts around the world, but who are they?

The Russian mercenary organisation is believed to have been founded nearly 10 years ago, but ramped up recruitment in recent years, particularly since the beginning of Russia's war in Ukraine. According to the UK Ministry of Defence, it now commands 50,000 fighters in Ukraine alone, but is said to have links to other parts of the world, particularly in many African nations.

麻豆官网首页入口 Russia鈥檚 Andrei Goryanov has been based in Riga, Latvia since the 麻豆官网首页入口 Russian Bureau relocated after the invasion of Ukraine. He explains who the Wagner Group are, where they have been and how aligned they are with President Putin and his government.

Presenter: Claire Graham
Producer: Owen McFadden

Available now

19 minutes

Last on

Mon 26 Jun 2023 02:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 24 Jun 2023 10:32GMT
  • Sat 24 Jun 2023 18:32GMT
  • Sun 25 Jun 2023 03:32GMT
  • Sun 25 Jun 2023 10:32GMT
  • Sun 25 Jun 2023 23:32GMT
  • Mon 26 Jun 2023 02:32GMT

Podcast