Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu apparently sends a group of mercenaries close to him into the war against Ukraine. According to Ukrainian sources, the private military unit (PMC) called “Patriot” has already been spotted in the Donbass. So far, only the private Wagner mercenary group of Moscow businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin is active on Ukrainian territory.
“Especially in the area of Stepne on the Wuhledar front, we noticed that in addition to Wagner PMC, Patriot PMC, attributed to the current Russian Defense Minister, Shoigu, was observed. Apparently they are pulling up all combat capabilities to achieve at least some results,” Ukrainian Eastern Armed Forces spokesman Serhii Cherevatyi quoted the online portal Ukrayinska Pravda as saying. The information cannot be independently verified.
The “Patriot” mercenaries are said to have close ties to the Russian Ministry of Defense and the GRU secret service. According to estimates by the American Jamestown Foundation, the fighters are paid between $6,000 and $15,000 a month (5,600 to 13,900 francs), a multiple of the $3,000 (2,800 francs) wages for Wagner Units.
According to Russian media reports, the fighters were deployed in Burundi and were apparently also active in Syria and Yemen, according to the Polish Warsaw Institute.
Troop could strengthen Schoigu’s position
The Ukrainian military spokesman called the Patriot group a competitor of the Wagner mercenaries. Both are used in different areas. The operation may have a domestic political background.
Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin is apparently trying to increase his influence in the Kremlin and has repeatedly criticized the defense ministry’s strategy. With a group close to the ministry, Defense Minister Shoigu could strengthen his position again if successful.
Ten months after Russia’s war against Ukraine, President and Supreme Commander Vladimir Putin increasingly relies on mercenaries from the private ‘Wagner’ group. The troops, made up of many prisoners and, according to US information, also equipped with weapons from North Korea, are fighting on numerous fronts in Ukraine – including around the small town of Bakhmut in the north of the Donetsk region, where the largest fighting is currently taking place. .
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
