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"Putin's cook" Yevgeny Prigozhin (left) at the side of the Russian President
Photo: Alexei Druzhinin / AP
For years, the Wagner mercenaries have been involved in civil wars and conflicts around the world, and the Kremlin has denied having anything to do with the fighters for years.
Now the Russian entrepreneur Yevgeny Prigozhin, known for his close ties to President Vladimir Putin, has claimed responsibility for founding the mercenary group.
Even more: Prigozhin confirmed deployments of Russian fighters in countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
»Pillar of our fatherland«
He founded the group in May 2014 to send fighters to the Ukrainian Donbass, Prigozhin said in a statement from his company.
From this point on, "a group of patriots" was born that "later received the name Battalion Tactical Group Wagner."
He further explained: »And now a confession (...) these guys, heroes, defended the Syrian people, other peoples in Arab countries, the disadvantaged in Africa and Latin America, they have become a pillar of our fatherland.«
A video was already circulating on the internet last week, allegedly showing Prigozhin surrounded by inmates in a prison yard.
There he is said to have tried to recruit soldiers.
"Who do we need?
We only need shock troops, «says the man in the video.
This refers to soldiers who are at the forefront of an attack and suffer heavy casualties even in successful operations.
"Sixty percent of my people are shock troops and you will be one of them," the man continued.
Prigozhin had repeatedly denied connections to the Wagner group.
Several Western states and Russian media had accused Prigozhin of financing the Wagner Group.
Wagner fighters had been observed in Syria, Libya, Ukraine and Central Africa, among other places.
For years, the paramilitary Wagner group has been suspected of working in secret for the Kremlin at various conflict sites.
Moscow has always denied this and has denied any connection with paramilitary groups.
Prigozhin himself was for a time one of the suppliers of the Kremlin's kitchens, earning him the nickname "Putin's chef."
mrc/AFP
