"Professional execution" threatens: Wagner group probably burns mercenaries for Putin as cannon fodder

Created: 12/19/2022 1:12 p.m

By: Linus Prien

Soldiers stand in the lobby of the "PMC Wagner Center" (symbolic image).

© IMAGO/Valentin Yegorshin

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has long had to resort to mercenary troops to attack Ukraine.

Fighters of the "Wagner" group now sometimes face execution.

In the escalating Ukraine conflict, the Russian mercenary group "Wagner" is using recruits as "cannon fodder" according to British secret services.

The Ministry of Defense in London said on Monday (December 19) that some recruited soldiers were given a smartphone or tablet that uses satellite images to show them their intended attack route and target.

For this advance they received fire cover, but rarely armored vehicles.

This news follows recent reports that the Wagner Group is recruiting, among other things, the seriously ill, including soldiers with hepatitis.

War in Ukraine: Wagner troops face execution by their own superiors

"Wagner members who deviate from their attack routes without authorization are likely to face summary execution," the report continues.

The commanders would be informed via drone images from protected positions.

"These brutal tactics aim to preserve Wagner's scarce reserves of experienced commanders and armored vehicles at the expense of more readily available convict recruits, which the organization deems expendable," the British ministry said.

War in Ukraine: Wagner founder Prigozhin tries to expand power

Wagner also recruits new fighters in prisons.

The mercenary group continues to play a central role in the fighting for the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, it said.

According to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is currently trying to gain more power in Moscow anyway.

Among other things, Prigozhin demands that his mercenaries be buried and honored as war veterans in Russia, which would further legitimize his soldiers beyond their important military role.

The British Ministry of Defense has been publishing daily information on the course of the war since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine at the end of February, citing intelligence information.

In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line.

Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.