Russian Warlord Calls on Public to Support Wagner Paramilitaries Amidst Recruitment Efforts for Ukraine Conflict
Russian warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner paramilitaries, urged the Russian public to stand up for his group as they continue to recruit troops for the war in Ukraine. This call for support comes in apparent contradiction with the terms of a truce with the Kremlin. Speaking on the Telegram messaging app for the second time since leading an aborted insurrection last month, Prigozhin expressed gratitude to backers within Russia and emphasized the need for their support.
Despite an agreement previously revealed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Wagner fighters were given the option to sign contracts with the Russian defense ministry, return home, or follow Prigozhin into exile in Belarus, recruitment efforts for the group are ongoing. On Monday, Wagner was actively seeking recruits to train in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region, according to advertisements on Telegram.
A recruiter from Wagner, contacted through the group’s hotline, confirmed the availability of “job openings,” including in the prestigious storm unit that operates in the war zone in Ukraine. The recruiting process has become more complicated, with recruits being instructed to delete all social media accounts. When asked about the recent attempted insurrection, the recruiter dismissed any disruptions and questioned the credibility of the news.
Prozhoghin’s voice message on Monday did not explicitly challenge the Kremlin. Instead, he defended his “march of justice” as an effort to fight traitors and mobilize society. Meanwhile, his plane has flown multiple times between Belarus, Moscow, and St. Petersburg, raising doubts about his adherence to the terms of the deal brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko claimed that Prigozhin had flown to Belarus following the agreement.
Although Lukashenko mentioned the stationing of Wagner troops at an abandoned base in Belarus, there is no evidence or reporting of any mass relocation of militia fighters to Belarus. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who previously remained silent on the Wagner mutiny, reappeared on Monday and commended the armed forces for remaining faithful to their oath and military duty during the attempted coup. General Sergey Surovikin, who had a good relationship with Prigozhin and was the former commander of Ukrainian war operations, is believed to be detained as the Kremlin cracks down on Wagner sympathizers.
Despite the ongoing recruiting efforts and Prigozhin’s plea for support, the situation remains uncertain, with questions surrounding the extent of Wagner’s activities and the loyalty of its members to the Russian defense ministry. The latest developments highlight the complex dynamics and challenges within the Russian paramilitary landscape.