 Editor in Chief Bill   | 10 Aug 2022 8:39 a.m. PST |
On paper, the Wagner Group, a Russian network providing fighters for hire, does not exist.It does not file tax returns, its alleged backers deny any connection to it and officially, private military companies (PMCs) are illegal in Russia… Aljazeera: link |
| JMcCarroll | 10 Aug 2022 3:54 p.m. PST |
It doesn't exist because 95% died in Syria. Thanks to USA artillery! |
 Legion 4   | 10 Aug 2022 7:40 p.m. PST |
That certainly may be the case. IIRC airstrikes took out a large number in Syria too. |
| williamb | 10 Aug 2022 8:54 p.m. PST |
According to reports there are at least 1000 Wagner PMCs operating in three to four battalion sized groups in eastern Ukraine. A photo of a probable Wagner prisoner with a swastika tattoo on his back is in another thread on this forum that has several links that I posted in it to Russian Neo NAZI groups including Wagner. The Syrian mercenaries in Ukraine are also operating under Wagner command. Wagner group was also reported by Russian news sources as recruiting prisoners from St. Petersburg prisons. Wagner units are considered better quality than regular Russian units. |
| soledad | 11 Aug 2022 7:38 a.m. PST |
Wagner USED to be better than average Russian units. It WAS composed of former "elite" soldiers from Russia (Elite in Russia, not comparable with elite in the rest of the world). Now, if they are recruiting convicts in prison without prior military experience they no are close to elite. More just armed rabble. But this rabble will most likely not obey orders or act to help their fellow rabble members as solidarity and helping others is usually not high on the list of prisoners and convicts. |
| Legion 4 | 11 Aug 2022 8:30 a.m. PST |
More just armed rabble. Could describe most of the Russian military as well … |
| dapeters | 11 Aug 2022 1:15 p.m. PST |
"Syrian army as unprofessional and unmotivated." Considering the source that's saying something. |
| Dragon Gunner | 11 Aug 2022 1:28 p.m. PST |
I wonder what the desertion rate is for the convicts? It would be the perfect time to disappear and start a new life. |
| Dragon Gunner | 11 Aug 2022 1:32 p.m. PST |
"1000 Wagner PMCs operating in three to four battalion sized groups" Russia is becoming very creative with what it calls a battalion. By Western standards a battalion is roughly 800 men that includes integral support. I am betting these are operating as 4 oversized companies of light infantry with no support. |
| Legion 4 | 11 Aug 2022 4:59 p.m. PST |
That makes sense, they seem to be very much a Light Infantry force. From what I understand, they started out with a lot of elite, veteran troops, etc. But their ranks now have many less of those and more of just "volunteers" off the streets, etc. |
