About: Wagner Group
EU leaves military training in Mali suspended, stops short of ending mission
The EU will leave its military training mission in Mali suspended, but will not terminate it for the time being, the bloc’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said on Tuesday (May 17). “We decided to reaffirm our decision of suspending operational...
Russian troops ill-prepared for Ukraine war, says ex-Wagner mercenary
The Russian military's failure to seize the Ukrainian capital was inevitable because in the preceding years they had never directly faced a powerful enemy, according to a former mercenary with the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group who fought alongside the Russian army.
German FM urges end to Mali’s cooperation with Russia
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned Wednesday (14 April) that European forces would not cooperate with Mali's military while maintaining links to Russia during a visit to the conflict-torn Sahel state.
EU ends part of Mali training mission, fearing Russian interference, Borrell says
The EU on Monday (11 April) decided to halt its military training missions in Mali but will keep a presence in the Sahel, the bloc's top diplomat said.
Malian forces, suspected Russian fighters killed 300 civilians: HRW
Malian forces and suspected Russian fighters killed about 300 civilians in late March in the centre of the conflict-torn Sahel nation, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday (5 April).
Macron hosts European and African leaders in preparation of Sahel redeployment
The French president welcomed his European and African counterparts to revisit actions to combat terrorism in the Sahel, confirming that the redeployment of French troops in the region is on the horizon.
Russian mercenaries with spy links increasing presence in Ukraine
Russian mercenaries with ties to Moscow's spies have increased their presence in Ukraine in recent weeks, stoking fears among some NATO members that Russia could try to engineer a pretext for an invasion, three senior Western security sources said.
Central Africa PM fired amid tensions over Russia-France tug of war
The Central African Republic's prime minister has been sacked, the presidency confirmed Monday (7 February), against the backdrop of tensions between pro-Russian and pro-French factions within the government of the poor, unstable country.
EU ready for further action against Mali’s junta
The European Union warned on Thursday (3 February) that it will take further action should members of the military regime in Mali obstruct the transition back to democracy.
Russian paramilitary ‘saviours’ star in films on Africa conflicts
Paramilitary fighters from the Russia-linked Wagner group star in a new film singing their praises for interventions against rebels in the Central African Republic and elsewhere on the continent.
Mali asks Denmark to immediately withdraw troops deployed there
Mali's government said it had asked Denmark to immediately withdraw troops deployed to the West African nation as part of a French-led counter-terrorism task force because it was not consulted and the deployment failed to follow protocol.
Will France quit Mali? Crunch time nears as junta defies Paris
As relations between France and Mali sour rapidly, Paris is wondering whether it is time to stop providing military backup to a country run by a junta that has defied the international community.
France urges EU sanctions against Mali
France is to press the European Union to agree sanctions against Mali after its military-dominated leadership shelved a timetable for elections, the French foreign minister said on Wednesday (12 January).
Germany considers relocating soldiers in Mali mission
Germany would not rule out transferring its military mission in Mali to another country if the danger is too great, Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said Sunday (19 December).
EU to review its African military missions following Wagner link
The EU will conduct Strategic Reviews in early 2022 into its military and defence cooperation missions in Africa, following reports that EU officials were providing training to local forces in the Central African Republic alongside the Russian mercenary group, Wagner.
EU suspends military training in Central Africa over Russian mercenaries
The European Union has suspended its training mission for soldiers in Central African Republic (CAR) because of fears it could get tied up in violations of international law by Russian mercenaries, the mission said on Wednesday (15 December).
EU explores Russia options, adopts sanctions against Wagner group
EU foreign ministers on Monday (13 December) discussed options for a possible new round of economic sanctions against Russia, in coordination with the United States and Britain, ahead of two crucial summits in Brussels this week.
EU eyes more sanctions on Russian mercenaries Wagner
EU foreign ministers agreed Monday (15 November) to draw up more sanctions on shadowy Russian mercenary group Wagner over its involvement in a string of hotspots, the bloc's foreign policy chief said.