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A Russian soldier in Sievjerodonetsk, the twin city of Lysychansk: Wagner mercenaries probably played an important role in the conquest
Photo:
Olga Maltseva / AFP
They are said to be active in Syria, in several African countries - and now apparently also increasingly in Ukraine: The notorious Russian mercenary group Wagner apparently supports the Kremlin's war of aggression against the neighboring country.
According to British intelligence experts, the mercenaries are increasingly filling the gaps in the Russian ranks during the invasion.
The Wagner fighters probably played a central role in recent battles, for example in the capture of the cities of Popasna and Lyssychansk, according to the daily intelligence update on the Defense Ministry's Twitter account.
However, the British experts also assume that the mercenary force had to accept heavy losses.
This leads to lower recruitment standards for new fighters, including convicted criminals and previously rejected applicants.
These new recruits would only receive very limited training, which would likely reduce the force's effectiveness and thus its value as a support for the Russian military.
According to the British experts, tensions between mercenaries and regular military units could lead to the fact that Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin recently received the award as "Hero of the Russian Federation" for the troops' deployment in the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine.
"This comes at a time when a number of very senior commanders are being replaced," the British statement said.
The morale of the Russian troops could be negatively affected.
Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine at the end of February, the British government has regularly published intelligence information about its progress.
Moscow accuses London of a targeted disinformation campaign.
The Wagner mercenary group is considered ruthless and brutal.
Already shortly after the start of the Russian war of aggression there were reports that Wagner mercenaries would be fighting in Ukraine.
They had already supported the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014.
Officially, they are considered a private security company by the Kremlin.
According to experts, however, this could be part of the Russian strategy.
kko/dpa