Wagner Group facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wagner Group
Группа Вагнера, ЧВК «Вагнер»
Official logo of the Wagner Group
Active	2014–present
Founder	Yevgeny Prigozhin
Leaders	Yevgeny Prigozhin Lt. Col. Dmitry Utkin ("Wagner") Col. Konstantin Pikalov Col. Andrei Troshev Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev
Headquarters	Saint Petersburg, Russia
Allies	Russian Armed Forces (2014–2023) Russian separatist forces in Donbas Syrian Armed Forces Popular Mobilization Forces IRGC FACA Libyan National Army Rapid Support Forces FADM FAMa
Opponents	Armed Forces of Ukraine Islamic State Al-Nusra Front (2014–2017) Tahrir al-Sham Syrian National Army Free Syrian Army Syrian Democratic Forces Coalition of Patriots for Change Libyan Army Ansar al-Sunna Nusrat al-Islam United States Armed Forces (Battle of Khasham) Russian Volunteer Corps Freedom of Russia Legion
Battles and wars	Crimean Crisis War in Donbas (2014–2022) 2014 Il-76 shootdown Battle of Debaltseve Syrian civil war 2015–16 Latakia offensive Northern Aleppo offensive Palmyra offensive (March 2016) Palmyra offensive (2017) Central Syria campaign Hama offensive Deir ez-Zor offensive Northwestern Syria campaign Battle of Khasham Rif Dimashq offensive Operation Dawn of Idlib South Sudanese Civil War (military training and security) CAR Civil War Bongboto massacre Aïgbado massacre March 2022 attacks Second Libyan Civil War Western Libya campaign Sudanese Revolution Venezuelan presidential crisis (military training and security) Insurgency in Cabo Delgado Mali War Moura Massacre Russian invasion of Ukraine Battle of Donbas (2022) Battle of Popasna Sievierodonetsk-Lysychansk Bakhmut-Soledar
Designated as a terrorist organisation by
Estonia  France  Lithuania  Ukraine
Alternative logo

The Wagner Group (also known as PMC Wagner) is a Russian organization that acts like a private army. It is often called a private military company (PMC) or a group of mercenaries. Even though private military companies are not officially allowed in Russia, the Wagner Group works closely with the Russian government. They get their equipment and training from the Russian Ministry of Defence. Because of this, some people think the Wagner Group is like a hidden part of the Russian military.

The Wagner Group is thought to be used by the Russian government to hide its involvement in conflicts. This also helps to keep the true number of casualties and costs of Russia's actions a secret. The group first became well-known during the Donbas war in Ukraine. There, from 2014 to 2015, they supported pro-Russian groups.

Where Wagner Has Been Active

Members of the Wagner Group have reportedly taken part in many conflicts around the world. These include civil wars in places like Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, and Mali. They often fight alongside forces that are friendly with the Russian government. There have been reports of controversial actions by Wagner members in areas where they operate.

Role in Ukraine

The Wagner Group has played a big part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. For this conflict, they have recruited people from prisons in Russia to fight on the front lines. In December 2022, a US official named John Kirby stated that Wagner had about 50,000 fighters in Ukraine. This number included 10,000 regular contractors and 40,000 people recruited from prisons. Other estimates suggest more than 20,000 prisoners were recruited. In 2023, Russia gave Wagner fighters who took part in the invasion the status of combat veterans.

About the Founder

For many years, Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, denied any connection to the Wagner Group. However, in September 2022, he publicly admitted that he "founded" the group. He said he was proud to have helped them protect their country's interests.

Images for kids

• Flag of the Wagner Group.svg

  Official flag of the Wagner Group

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  Alternative logo of the Wagner Group

See also

• Academi – An American private military company
• Military history of the Russian Federation