As of: February 27, 2024, 5:06 a.m
By: Lisa Mahnke
Comments
Press
Split
The Wagner mercenaries are fighting on the front again, this time under the Russian flag.
The support experienced could change the dynamics of the war.
Avdiivka – Wagner mercenaries have returned to the front lines in the Ukrainian War, but this time as part of the Russian Guard.
The first representatives are in the Avdiivka region, as part of the first mercenary volunteer corps, reports the Ukrainian defense intelligence service.
“A volunteer corps of 18,000 people is currently being formed in Russia.
These, including all former Wagnerians, are led by the Ministry of Defense,” said Ukrainian general and vice-chairman of the Main Intelligence Service Vadim Skibitsky in an interview with
Interfax-Ukraine
.
“So they are actively deployed because they have combat experience.
“That means they can now be seen on the battlefield,” the general further explained.
In his opinion, the Volunteer Corps' approach is the same as that used by the Wagner Group in Bakhmut.
Skibitsky explained their strategy and the differences: “It's constant attack missions and getting results at all costs.
As for the salary, it is almost the same as in the Russian Armed Forces.
But Wagner’s salary was higher and Wagner truly valued his instructors and commanders.”
Volunteer Corps for Wagner Mercenaries: Recruitment takes place for Ukraine and Africa
The integration of the Wagner mercenaries into the Russian military has been discussed for a long time, most recently in the context of veteran certificates for the mercenaries.
Most recently, some Wagner soldiers were also found in the Russian Afrika Korps, which was set up by the Russian Ministry of Defense as a replacement for the Wagner troops.
According to
Topwar.ru,
recruitment efforts are underway for Wagner mercenaries for a six-month contract for Ukraine, as well as a nine-month contract for African states.
The preparation time took place in a training center.
It is possible to obtain veteran status and insurance payments in the event of injury or death.
“The 1st Volunteer Corps invites to work men for whom the defense of the Motherland is the only right choice,” an official statement
said, according to
Topwar.ru .
Mercenaries from the Wagner groups are now increasingly operating in the military of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
© STRINGER / AFP
Russian progress despite heavy casualties in Avdiivka offensive
However, the intelligence vice president told
Inferfax.Ukraine
that armed forces from African countries will not fight for long: “But no one wants to go to war.
They just come here to escape later and get to Europe.”
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Most recently, the Russian army made progress with a new offensive near Avdiivka, after the battle there had only moved back and forth for a long time.
Depending on how long the Wagner soldiers have been stationed in the region, they too may have contributed to the Russian army's recent successes.
Even if the actual war losses are difficult to estimate, most estimates range between 66,000 and 88,000 dead.
The volunteer corps could be an increase for the Russian army in order to avoid another controversial wave of recruitment in Russia before the Russian election.
(lismah)