The danger of Wagner's mercenaries exceeds their military role / report

Berlin, April 26, 2023 (LANA) - Leaked information on US intelligence documents and investigations by international newspapers, bodies and institutes specializing in crises and conflicts revealed detailed dimensions of the Russian "Wagner" group led by the oligarch "Yevgeny Prigozhin", who is close to President Vladimir Putin, far exceeding in Its danger and impact was reported about its direct military role in Ukraine and Syria, or indirectly through special and limited operations, as it formed in 8 African countries, including Sudan and Libya, a fertile field for Russian penetrations through Wagner’s forces, as Moscow took advantage of the mistakes of French policy in particular and European in general in those countries, and still continue to put pressure on the Europeans and Americans.

Although many reports were published in major media outlets in America, Britain and Germany, they focused on support operations provided by Wagner mercenaries to the "Rapid Support" forces led by Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo, nicknamed "Hamedti", based on military bases, which were monitored via satellites, showing air transport operations, and support for the "quick support" forces with military equipment, missiles and training.

In his statements in New York, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov tried to downplay Wagner's roles, and said that Sudan could benefit from its services, which he compared to American and European security companies. However, a closer look at the multiple roles played by the Russian paramilitary group reveals that its network of operations and scope are more complex in African countries, including Sudan, where it enjoys sensitive positions of influence, for example in monitoring gold mines or in its relations with the opposite front in the conflict that it leads. Army Commander Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.

The new strategic document announced by Russia recently outlines the features of a new doctrine in foreign policy based on classifying the West as an "existential threat" to Russia. The document reveals that the conflict in Ukraine is only one of the fronts of a large-scale confrontation between Russia and the West.

The document, which is more than 40 pages long, reveals that the "hybrid war" replaces the Cold War, in Russia's strategy that presents itself as a "bulwark" for the Russian-speaking world, in the face of "the hegemony of the West" and its attempts to "dismantle the Russian Federation."

Experts monitor that the Wagner Group and teams linked to it in one way or another, such as the "White Power Ranger Squad" WPRS and "Rusic", play as a paramilitary network a pivotal role in the open fronts between Russia and the West, starting from Ukraine, passing through Syria, and reaching the African continent that constitutes The broader stage seems to be for this confrontation.

According to Western sources, the strength of Wagner's forces in Ukraine is estimated at about forty thousand members, and Moscow provides them with enormous resources and capabilities in order to carry out sensitive missions on the fronts and wars of Russia. While the group started out as mercenary teams working in the shadows with Russian intelligence, it is gradually becoming a recognized force within the Russian forces. Its founder recently admitted that he created the group in 2014 to protect Russian interests in Donbass, eastern Ukraine.

In a comparative study between the Russian Wagner Group and its American counterpart, the "Blackwater" group, specialists in the German "Deutsche Welle" network stated that (in addition to the close link between the Wagner leadership in the Kremlin and President Putin personally, financial resources and advanced armaments are allocated to the group's fighters who play spearhead roles on the fronts Fighting, as it happened and is happening in Ukraine and Syria since 2014. In addition to background roles in security breaches and special operations, for example in African countries).

European analysts believe that the fatal mistakes in the policy of the influential Western capitals in Sudan and its African environs contributed to providing an appropriate ground for the increase of Russian influence on the forces affecting the conflict, such as the commander of the "rapid support" forces, who relies at the same time on double support from the United Arab Emirates, an ally, the West and Israel, and the support of Wagner's mercenaries.

One of the leaked US intelligence documents revealed that Wagner had roles in extracting resources such as oil, gold, uranium and other wealth and minerals on the African continent.

Since the era of Omar Hassan al-Bashir's rule, Russia has obtained concessions through the Russian company "M-Invest" on exploration rights in gold mines in northern Sudan. The company is nothing but a "financial cover" for the Wagner Group, according to US Treasury data. According to a report in the British "Daily Telegraph" newspaper, the Russian group has so far continued, with the help of the "RSF" company, to exploit Sudanese mines, according to statements made by the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, "Hamedti".

Reports of international organizations estimate the value of Sudan's production of gold at more than 100 tons annually, and the United Arab Emirates is the main importer of Sudanese gold. Its revenues amount to 3 billion euros annually.

Reuters quoted sources in the Sudanese government as saying that nearly 80 percent of the gold produced in the country is being smuggled outside the official commercial and banking channels, and Russia is a major destination for gold smuggling operations through private planes from military airports in many parts of Sudan.

...(LANA)...