Ex-Wagner mercenaries 'likely redeployed' to Ukraine
Hundreds of former Wagner mercenaries will probably be redeployed to fight in Ukraine, according to the UK's Ministry of Defence.
"In recent weeks, up to hundreds of fighters formerly associated with the Wagner Group private military company (PMC) have likely started to redeploy to Ukraine as individuals and small groups, fighting for a variety of pro-Russian units," the MOD said in its latest defence intelligence update.
In June this year Wagner led an armed rebellion against Moscow, and the group's then-chief Yevgeny Prigozhin vowed to topple Moscow's military leadership.
The update continued: "Wagner withdrew from combat operations in Ukraine by early June 2023, prior to the abortive mutiny of 24 June 2023, and the subsequent death of Wagner owner Yevgeny Prigozhin and other senior leaders in a plane crash on 23 August 2023.
"The exact status of the redeploying personnel is unclear, but it is likely individuals have transferred to parts of the official Russian Ministry of Defence forces and other PMCs.
"Several reports suggest a concentration of Wagner veterans around Bakhmut: their experience is likely to be particularly in demand in this sector.
"Many will be familiar with the current front line and local Ukrainian tactics, having fought over the same terrain last winter."
The Wagner group's former chief Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a plane crash in August.
The group has also been officially declared a terrorist organisation by the British Government due to its actions in Ukraine.
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