PRIGOZHIN
Russia is storing up a crime wave when its war on Ukraine ends
Russia war: Russia saw a drop in crime levels as men joined the war in Ukraine, but the return of these servicemen is now leading to a surge in offending. Data shows a rise in non-war-related crimes by more than 20%, with violent offenses, theft, and drug-related transgressions increasing. The impact of the conflict on returning servicemembers is expected to have long-lasting effects on society, with concerns over rising crime rates post-war. The return of convicts who fought for the Wagner group is a particular worry, as their reintegration into civilian life poses significant challenges for law enforcement and society as a whole.
US military completes major exercise in Africa and works to deepen partnerships
The U.S. and top African allies conducted the African Lion military exercise in Morocco, addressing new challenges in volatile regions. The exercise showcased joint military operations and emphasized a holistic approach to instability issues beyond military solutions.
Top Russian military officials are being arrested. Why is it happening?
Following the arrest of a Russian deputy defense minister last month, a series of detentions of senior military officials on corruption charges has unfolded. These arrests coincided with President Vladimir Putin's fifth term and a reshuffle of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The detentions have sparked speculation about Putin's control over the Defense Ministry, potential turf battles, or other internal power plays. Corruption has long been entrenched in Russia's system, but the recent crackdown, especially amid the war in Ukraine, suggests a significant shift in handling graft within the defense sector.
Deputy Russian military chief of staff jailed for bribery in latest arrest of senior defense official
A deputy chief of the Russian military general staff, Lt Gen Vadim Shamarin, has been arrested on charges of large-scale bribery, according to Russian news reports. This follows the recent arrest of Maj Gen Ivan Popov, a former top commander in Russia's offensive in Ukraine, also on bribery charges. These arrests are part of a series of high-profile bribery cases involving senior military officials. Shamarin, who is also the head of the defense ministry's main communications directorate, is being held in custody for two months. The arrests come amid wider allegations of incompetence and corruption within the Russian military leadership.
Ukraine parliament passes bill allowing prisoners to join military amid personnel shortage
Ukraine's parliament has passed a bill allowing certain prisoners to enlist in the armed forces amid a critical shortage of military personnel. The move marks a shift in Kyiv's stance, previously opposing such measures. The legislation, awaiting final approval, restricts participation to specific prisoner categories and requires less than three years remaining on their sentence. Despite its passage, concerns have been raised about discrimination and uncertainties regarding prisoners' service. This decision comes as Ukraine faces increased Russian aggression, with efforts to boost military recruitment intensifying.
Russia dismisses Wall Street Journal's 'pulp fiction' after Prigozhin death report
The WSJ reported that Prigozhin's private jet was downed by a small bomb placed under a wing. Its report cited unnamed Western intelligence officials and a former Russian intelligence officer.
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For Putin, winning reelection could be easier than resolving the many challenges facing Russia
The stalemated war in Ukraine, unyielding Western pressure that compounds Russia's economic problems, and intensifying infighting among the ruling elite will loom over Putin's next term and erode his pledges of stability.
Russia names new air force head, replacing rebellion-tied general
Surovikin was believed to have had close ties with Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, who mounted a rebellion in June seeking the dismissal of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and military chief of staff Valery Gerasimov. Prigozhin accused both of undermining Wagner forces who were key fighters in eastern Ukraine.
Mali military camp is attacked a day after 49 civilians and 15 soldiers were killed in assaults
A military camp in Mali's north was attacked following two separate assaults by al-Qaeda-linked insurgents that killed 49 civilians and 15 soldiers. The armed forces are currently evaluating the situation. The attacks were claimed by JNIM, a coalition of armed groups aligned with al-Qaeda. The Malian government reported that around 50 assailants were killed in the response to the attacks.
UK to ban Russia's Wagner Group as 'terrorist' organisation: reports
The UK is set to ban the Russian mercenary group, the Wagner Group, as a terrorist organization. The move comes as the group has been involved in violent and destructive activities overseas, acting as a military tool for Vladimir Putin's regime. The ban would put the Wagner Group on the same level as Islamic State and al-Qaeda under anti-terror laws.
Prigozhin's final months were overshadowed by questions about what the Kremlin had in store for him
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, faced uncertainty after a mutiny against Russia's military leadership. President Putin cut a deal not to prosecute him, but suspicions arose that the Kremlin was behind the crash of Prigozhin's business jet two months later. The last weeks of Prigozhin's life were overshadowed by questions about what the Kremlin had in store for him.
Russia's Putin orders Wagner fighters to sign oath of allegiance after Prigozhin's demise
President Vladimir Putin has ordered Wagner fighters to sign an oath of allegiance to the Russian state after a deadly plane crash believed to have killed Yevgeny Prigozhin, the volatile chief of the mercenary group. Putin signed the decree bringing in the change with immediate effect on Friday after the Kremlin said that Western suggestions that Prigozhin had been killed on its orders were an "absolute lie". The Kremlin declined to definitively confirm his death, citing the need to wait for test results.
Wagner boss Prigozhin dead but no definitive proof yet: British Ministry of Defence
The British Ministry of Defence stated that there is a high likelihood that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of the Wagner mercenary group, is dead after a plane crash. Although there is no definitive proof yet, Russian authorities have listed Prigozhin as a passenger on the plane that crashed near Moscow.
Plane crash believed to have killed Russian mercenary chief seen as Kremlin's revenge
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of a Russian private military company, and several top officers were presumed dead in a plane crash that is believed to be an assassination. This comes two months after Prigozhin's company staged a mutiny that challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin's authority. While the cause of the crash is still unknown, many see it as an act of vengeance by the Kremlin. Prigozhin's mercenaries had previously carried out a revolt, capturing military headquarters and downing military aircraft.
Who is Russia's 'General Armageddon' Sergei Surovikin, missing since mutiny?
Russia had just been routed in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Within a month, he had ordered a withdrawal from the west bank of the Dnipro river in Ukraine's southern Kherson region, recognising that his forces were in danger of being cut off. The contingent, estimated by the US at 30,000, retreated in good order, blowing up a strategic bridge behind them.
Vladimir Putin prepares Russia for 'Forever War' as efforts to vilify the West continue
"That Prigozhin rebelled was symptomatic of many social problems, but the way he advanced toward Moscow unhindered also demonstrated nervousness about whether all army units would fight," said Alexander Baunov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. "Putin clearly did not want to give an order to fire he was unsure would be implemented."
Russian missiles kill at least 6 in Zelenskyy's hometown in central Ukraine
The strike on Zelenskyy's hometown, which has been hit in the past, happened a day after the Ukrainian president seemed to warn of more attacks inside Russia. "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia - to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process," Zelenskyy said Sunday in his nightly video address. It was not clear whether the missile strikes were in retaliation for his comments.
Russian missiles strike an apartment building, killing at least 4 in Ukrainian leader's hometown
Russian missiles slammed into an apartment complex and a university building in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, killing four people and wounding dozens of others Monday as the blasts trapped residents beneath rubble, Ukraine's interior minister said.
Monitoring group says thousands of Wagner mercenaries have arrived in Belarus since failed uprising
Thousands of Russia-linked Wagner group mercenaries have arrived in Belarus since the group's short-lived rebellion, a military monitoring group said Monday. Between 3,450 and 3,650 soldiers have travelled to a camp close to Asipovichy, a town 230 kilometres north of the Ukrainian border, according to Belaruski Hajun, an activist group that tracks troop movements within the country.
Wagner mercenaries and Belarus hold military exercises near Poland's border
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was shown in a video on Wednesday welcoming his fighters to Belarus, telling them they would take no further part in the Ukraine war for now but ordering them to gather their strength for Africa.
Britain's MI6 chief says his spies are using AI to disrupt flow of weapons to Russia
In a speech that depicted artificial intelligence as both a huge potential asset and a major threat, Moore said his staff at Britain's foreign intelligence agency "are combining their skills with AI and bulk data to identify and disrupt the flow of weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine."
Flying Russian flags, more Wagner troops roll into Belarus as part of deal that ended their mutiny
More mercenaries from Russia's Wagner military contractor rolled into Belarus on Monday, a monitoring group said, continuing their relocation to the ex-Soviet nation following last month's short-lived mutiny. Belaruski Hajun, a Belarusian activist group that monitors troops movements in Belarus, said that a convoy of about 20 vehicles carrying Russian flags and Wagner insignia entered the country, heading toward a field camp that Belarusian authorities had offered to the company.
Kremlin says Putin met with Wagner leader days after abortive mutiny
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the private military company Wagner, shortly after a failed mutiny by the mercenary chief and his army. The three-hour meeting took place on June 29 and included commanders from Wagner. The company's mercenaries have fought alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, and Prigozhin has had long-standing conflicts with the top military leadership in Russia.
NATO readies military plans to defend against bruised but unbowed Russia
Russia's armed forces are bruised but by no means beaten in the war in Ukraine, a top NATO military officer said Monday, as he laid out the biggest revamp to the organization's military plans since the Cold War should Moscow dare to widen the conflict.
Wagner boss 'gone off the rails' over money, says Russian TV
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group in Russia, is accused of "going off the rails" due to receiving billions in public funds. Dmitry Kiselev, a Russian propagandist, claims that Prigozhin believed he could challenge the defense ministry and the president himself. Kisilev suggests that the feeling of impunity stemmed from Wagner's operations in Syria, Africa, and successes in eastern Ukraine.
Russia's Prigozhin was told he would no longer fight in Ukraine -lawmaker
Colonel-General Andrei Kartapolov, an influential lawmaker who chairs the lower house of parliament's defence committee, said the trigger for Saturday's mutiny was Prigozhin's disagreement with a demand by the defence ministry that his mercenary group sign contracts.
Where are Russia's top generals? Rumours swirl after mercenary mutiny
Senior generals in Russia, including Armed forces chief of staff General Valery Gerasimov and General Sergei Surovikin, have disappeared from public view following a failed mercenary mutiny. There are concerns that a purge is being carried out within the Russian Armed Forces to weed out military personnel deemed disloyal.
Russia says preparing transfer of Wagner hardware to army
Putin on Monday accused Ukraine and its Western allies of wanting Russians to "kill each other" during the revolt, which stunned the country. In his first address to the nation since the rebels pulled back, Putin said he had issued orders to avoid bloodshed and granted amnesty to the Wagner fighters. Prigozhin had earlier defended his aborted mutiny as a bid to save his mercenary outfit and expose the failures of Russia's military leadership -- but not to challenge the Kremlin.
Putin has long embraced chaos, and now it is enveloping him
At no point since being named acting president on Dec. 31, 1999, has Putin faced such a dramatic challenge. And it comes from a man who - like much of Russia's elite - owes his power and status to the informal, personalist style of the Russian president.
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