The Wagner Group’s CEO, Yevgeny Prigozhin, stated that the company will continue to operate in Africa and Belarus. He also stated that the gang is not currently looking for additional fighters. Prigozhin stated in an audio message posted by a Wagner-linked Telegram account on Monday (July 31) that the gang was deciding on its next goals.
Wagner and Prigozhin’s future has been unknown since their failed coup attempt against the Russian defense establishment in late June. The Kremlin said that he and other of Wagner’s mercenaries, who engaged in some of Ukraine’s bloodiest conflicts, would depart for Belarus.
Meanwhile, Prigozhin met with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in St. Petersburg, where Putin was welcoming African leaders. The news agency Reuters reported that a voice sounding like Prigozhin’s said in the message: “Today we are defining our next tasks, whose outline is becoming clearer and clearer. Undoubtedly, these are tasks that will be carried out in the name of the greatness of Russia.”
The audio was shared on Grey Zone, a Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel. Prigozhin stated in the audio message that most Wagner warriors were currently on leave since “there was a long period of very hard work before that.” Following the attempted coup, the Kremlin said those Wagner fighters who had not taken part would join the regular army and sign contracts with the Defense Ministry.
‘There are no intentions to conduct a new recruitment’
The Wagner chief stated that some of his warriors had “unfortunately” gone to other “power structures,” but that they were looking to return.
“As long as we don’t experience a shortage in personnel, we don’t plan to carry out a new recruitment,” Prigozhin said.
“However, we will be extremely grateful to you if you keep in touch with us, and as soon as the Motherland needs to create a new group that will be able to protect the interests of our country, we will certainly start recruiting,” he added.
Prigozhin also stated last week that Wagner is prepared to expand its footprint in Africa. Since the mutiny, several Wagner fighters have relocated to Belarus and begun training the country’s army.
Wagner’s presence in Africa appears to be a source of concern for Western governments, as the US has accused them of extensive atrocities and levied sanctions as a criminal organization, which they deny. Prigozhin even asserted that it follows the laws of the countries in which it operates.