Vladimir Putin’s (70) shadow army, the Wagner group, has been supporting the Russian army at the front for months. And she too suffered heavy losses.
That’s why Russian criminals were taken out of prisons. This apparently leads to major problems and unrest within the Wagner group, as the case of Sergey Serbesov, reported by human rights activist and journalist Olga Romanova, aims to demonstrate.
Ukrainian Serbesov was sentenced to more than nine years in prison for various drug offenses in Russia and taken to a penal colony in Saratov Oblast. When the Russians invaded Ukraine, a member of the Wagner group appeared in the colony shortly after, as reported by Serbesov’s wife.
Deserters are buried in a mass grave
The prisoners were told they would be sent to the front “whether they wanted to or not.” Officially it was said that the Wagner Group only relies on men who volunteer. Big promises were made about that. Those who go to the front in the Donbass can expect a pardon, a lot of pay – and a free chest and a fortune for the family if they die “with dignity”.
According to his wife, Serbesov turned himself in on September 28 to tell her that he was being taken to the front. Then radio silence. It wasn’t until October 15 that her cell phone vibrated. A text message. The sender: anonymous. The message stated that her husband had been shot because he had deserted, ie wanted to flee. After that, someone again contacted Serbesov’s family. Not for condolences, but for money. He demanded $1,000, then he would say where Serbezov’s body was. ‘I can assure you that the information is reliable. It can’t be a mistake, because one of the members of his unit has identified him.” Either his body stays here or they take him.
The family must make a quick decision. “The reports on the deaths are already in the works. As you know, deserters and looters without military honors are buried in a mass grave.”
“Everything is fine, don’t believe the rumours”
Fortunately, the family did not let themselves be extorted. Shortly afterwards, Sergey Serbesov spoke with a video that was published on a news site linked to Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin (61). In the video, the Ukrainian addressed his wife directly. “It’s okay, don’t believe the rumours.” The reports of his death are not true. He lives, loves her and misses her.
Was another Wagner member shot and misidentified? That’s hard to say. It is entirely possible that the Wagner group actually makes money selling dead convicts, blackmailing the families and threatening to leave the bodies behind. (yeah)