Private combat troops do not want to join the Russian army: the Russian mercenary dilemma

For example, the Redut group or the Patriot mercenaries. They are becoming increasingly important in the Russian war against Ukraine. The former is even close to Wagner in importance and scope. Although, as the “Mirror” writes, they work under the guise of the Russian Ministry of Defense in Ukraine, they are privately funded by the oligarch Gennady Timchenko (70). They also include other smaller mercenaries.

Patriot, on the other hand, is already in contact with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (68). They, too, are said to have been set up – just like Redut – to compete with Wagner. According to the Kiev Post, Shoigu’s private forces are said to be active in seven countries, including the Central African Republic and, after 2018, Syria. The Russian energy giant Gazprom is said to have already set up its own private army, the Ukrainian army confirms.

40 mercenaries in Russia – and more are still coming

In total, there are currently about 40 Russian mercenaries. They are said to operate on four continents and in about 30 countries, according to data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). According to Ukrainian media reports, about 25 to 30 out of about 40 existing so-called PMCs (Private Military Companies) are fighting on the Russian side in the occupied territories. And they all compete with each other for more influence, fame and glory.

There are several reasons why more and more such groups are being formed: Mercenaries are an integral part of the Russian defense. The Kremlin applauds that they act in its best interest, but are not part of the regular army. For example, Russia has always been able to deny the presence of its “own” troops in African countries. In Ukraine, too, war crimes can be dismissed and blamed on the mercenaries – even if they act on behalf of Moscow.

This means that establishing such a group and waging war with it is a lucrative business for the Kremlin. The founders are mainly concerned with influence and power in the Russian political apparatus. Who supplies soldiers for the war increases the favor of Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin (70). In addition, according to political scientist Margarita Balmaceda (58), many founders are already thinking about the distribution of power in post-war Russia. The soldiers, on the other hand, care about money. Compared to the average Russian soldier, mercenary earns very well.

Curse and blessing at the same time

The mercenaries proved their worth to the Russian military during the war in Ukraine – but also how dangerous the use of mercenaries can be for a government like Russia’s. Already in 2019, the Swedish Ministry of Defense analyzed the unstable situation of mercenaries in Russia: “There is a risk that the mercenaries will become too independent and uncontrollable, which could ultimately undermine the state monopoly on the use of force.”

That is precisely why Defense Minister Shoigu is trying to control the proliferation of mercenaries. For months he has wanted to bring the mercenary groups in Ukraine under control of the Russian state. He recently ordered an edict to force all mercenaries to submit to the Russian army before July 1.

Prigozhin’s “March on Moscow” impressively showed that Shoigu’s desire for a unified chain of command will not work. Dealing with such combat units poses a dilemma for Russia’s military and political leadership. Mercenaries, at least partially outside the state structures, can become independent and even create problems for their creator – the Kremlin. As a result, integration into the military can be difficult.