The Wagner mercenary group, which has been operating in secret for a long time, has opened its first official headquarters in Russia in St. Petersburg. On the opening day, people in camouflage clothing walked through the building and looked at an exhibition of drones, according to AFP news agency.
Wagner mercenaries are playing an increasingly important role in the war in Ukraine. Entrepreneur Yevgeny Prigozhin (61), also known as “Putin’s cook”, is the head of the mercenary group. Prigozhin is said to have personally recruited mercenaries in prison camps in recent weeks. Wagner operated in a gray area for a long time. Last month, Prigozhin put an end to years of rumors and admitted that he had started the group.
Kremlin henchmen
With headquarters in St. Petersburg, Wagner becomes a normal company. Prigozhin announced the opening of the office in online networking last week. The Wagner Center’s job is to “create a comfortable environment for the development of new ideas to improve Russia’s defense capabilities,” it said.
Mercenaries of the Wagner group are deployed in countries such as Latin America, Africa and Ukraine. The group has been suspected for years of playing a role in pursuing Moscow’s ambitions abroad. However, the Kremlin denies any connection. (AFP/kes)