Wagner mercenaries refocus on Africa after huge losses in Ukraine amid fall-out with Putin

The Russian Wagner group is reportedly now targeting Africa after suffering heavy losses in Ukraine amid the mercenary group boss’s feud with Vladimir Putin.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the group, has a long-running dispute with the Kremlin, particularly with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. He has accused Shoigu of blocking the supply of ammunition and personnel to his private military group.

Prigozhin and his mercenary group are currently fighting in Bakhmut in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Fighting in the area had raged for eight months and led to some of the bloodiest and longest battles of the war.

Due to the brutal conflict, Prigozhin lost, killed or wounded thousands of men at the front. Many of the convicts who applied to join the Wagner group have also been pardoned after serving six months in the military. Prigozhin has reportedly been exiled by the Kremlin to refresh troops with new recruits.

Wagner’s tactical change follows reported fears within the Kremlin that Prigozhin could try to unite his mercenaries to turn against Putin and seize power in Russian suburbs after the war in Ukraine.

News of the Wagner group’s shift in focus – reported by Bloomberg citing sources close to the matter – is likely to worry Moscow after Kiev said they were now ready to launch another counterattack on the war-ravaged torn Bakhmut.

The commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said: ‘The attacker has not lost hope of taking Bakhmut at all costs, despite the losses in men and equipment. We will take this opportunity very soon, as we did with Kiev. Kharkiv, Balakliya and Kupiansk.’

Prigozhin has publicly criticized the Russian army and military leadership. He has previously berated and discredited top military officials and anyone who stood in his way, angering many in the Russian government who wanted to keep him in check.

But while they have achieved success in cities such as Soledar, Popasna and Lysychansk, the group is rapidly losing troops. Since many in his criminal ranks have been released, it is unknown how much power Prigozhin’s men will continue to wield in the war.

Amid the fighting in Bakhmut, Prigozhin continued to demand that the Kremlin supply him with ammunition, reinforcements and further support.

Defense Minister Shoigu is said to disagree with Prigozhin in particular on the strategy, despite the fact that the Wagner boss brought success to the battlefield and led the assault on Bakhmut.

Ammunition deliveries were reportedly cut off earlier this month before they could reach Prigozhin and his Wagner group in Bakhmut, stifling any military advance.

Earlier this month, Prigozhin said his forces will have to “reset and downsize” after significant losses in the war-torn city.

But now Wagner is openly recruiting staff to carry out contracts in Africa. The group has been recruited to protect mines and secure government services. The group is looking for candidates for a stay of nine to fourteen months in Africa.

On his Telegram channel, Prigozhin denied Bloomberg’s reports that Wagner wanted to withdraw from Ukraine.

“It seems Bloomberg knows better than we do what we’re about to do.

“As long as our country needs us, we will continue to fight in Ukraine,” he wrote.