Kremlinism/Terrorism/Wagner

Wagner[1] is a russian state-sponsored terrorist organization[2][3].

“ According to a European Union regulation last December, implementing sanctions against the group and certain people, it was founded by Dmitry Utkin, a former Russian soldier adorned with Nazi tattoos. It was reportedly named after Hitler’s favourite composer. In December 2016 Mr Utkin was photographed alongside Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, at a Kremlin event, hinting at the group’s powerful ties. Wagner is thought to be funded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman who is also alleged to run the Internet Research Agency, Russia’s “troll farm”. The Russian armed forces work closely with the group, reportedly providing it with munitions and transport aircraft. The head of Ukraine’s security services has likened Wagner to “a private army of Putin”.

— What is the Wagner Group, Russia’s mercenary organisation?

“ЧВК Вагнер” (ЧВК: Частная военная компания, PMC: Private military company)

• Kamil Galeev, “Wagner mercenary group fighting colonial wars for Russia” (thread) (pdf), 2022-11-13
• “1/ The Wagner mercenary group has already executed as many as 40 of its own men, according to Russian human rights activist Olga Romanova. She says in an interview that Wagner has recruited around 35,000-40,000 prisoners. Relatives say some were tortured into joining.” (thread) (pdf)
• “Relatives of prisoners in a Siberian penal colony have gathered at its entrance to try to prevent their loved ones being mobilised, after contact with several colonies was cut off following the arrival of Wagner PMC recruiters. Translation follows ⬇️” (thread) (pdf)
• Russian colonialism#Africa
• Prigozhin sent the European Parliament a sledgehammer in a violin case with an engraved logo of Wagner and traces of blood on the handle.
• https://twitter.com/EliotHiggins/status/1595518274129002497