By Evan Robinson
What is Russia’s Wagner Group? You may recall reading about this mysterious organization on this blog but are more confused as recent events have played out, highlighting the group’s role in committing war crimes in Ukraine. To summarize, The Wagner Group is a Private Russian Paramilitary organization operating “beyond the law.” Part of the concern with the group is that they are not accountable to anyone except Vladimir Putin, making them effectively serve at his pleasure. Further, the Wagner Group consists mainly of prisoners who have been released specifically to fight against Ukraine. To be clear, the Wagner Group is not the Russian Military. Instead, it is a private company launched in 2022 that allows Russia to manipulate the public from the actual costs and the number of Russian casualties of the Ukraine War. The focus of this piece will be to highlight the horror and brutality of the Wagner Group in Ukraine. Recently a former Wagner Group commander who left the group and claimed asylum in Norway has revealed some pretty horrific details of the crimes committed by the Wagner Group in Ukraine. This blog will highlight and analyze his claims.
Andrey Medvedev is a former Wagner Group (WG) commander who was captured in Norway after claiming he escaped the War in Ukraine and his role in WG after the horrific crimes he had witnessed. According to one source, Medvedev’s capture is a big deal because it is the first instance of a WG member being in captivity in a western country. Although Medvedev is likely willing to talk to authorities since he arrived in Norway of his own free will, the Norwegian government will have the opportunity to hear the first-hand account of what WG is doing in Ukraine. Medvedev claims he left WG after he witnessed the execution of deserters and worried for his own safety. Most importantly, Medvedev and his lawyer say they have evidence of war crimes, which, although denied officially by a WG spokesman, given WG’s reputation in prior conflicts, such as Syria, such accusations do not seem implausible. On top of this, the official Russian Military has been accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine, making it even more plausible that this quasi-secretive unit would be committing such crimes.
Medvedev’s story will be essential to raise awareness surrounding the Wagner Group’s dealings. This intelligence can be given to Ukraine and may encourage other members to come forth if they hear Medvedev’s story. Because Wagner Group is recruiting primarily from prison, their force of fighters is likely being manipulated. On one New York Times podcast, the story of one WG fighter is shared, and he explains that he went to fight because he had no other choice. It was either to fight for Russia’s freedom or suffer in the harsh prison environment. Such manipulation and the general background of men who serve in prison give the WG an extremely lethal reputation, and in-fighting between members is typical. Regardless, the WG is extremely dangerous, and its lack of accountability is a cause for concern. Not only because they are committing war crimes but because they are a private force using prisoners to kill Ukrainians in an unjust war.
Although one recent report from the Wall Street Journal indicates the Wagner Group will stop using prisoners to fight the War in Ukraine, this group still prevents a considerable threat to peace in Ukraine and sets a bad precedent for other wars globally. The lack of accountability, the lethal dealings, and the uncertain nature of the group have allowed them to flourish and create horror in whatever battles they fight. One can only hope that Andrey Medvedev’s time in Norway enables Ukrainian allies to gain enough intel on the Wagner Group that the world can once and for all dissipate this group from Russian influence and fighting altogether.
Works Cited:
Lovett, Ian. “Russia’s Wagner Group Says It No Longer Recruits Prisoners to Fight in Ukraine.” The Wall Street Journal, 9 February 2023, https://www.wsj.com/articles/russias-wagner-group-says-it-no-longer-recruits-prisoners-to-fight-in-ukraine-11675945752. Accessed 9 February 2023.
Murphy, Matt. “Ukraine war: Russia’s Wagner Group commander requests Norway asylum.” BBC, 16 January 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64296979. Accessed 9 February 2023.
Tavernise, Sabrina, et al. “Inside Russia’s Military Catastrophe.” The New York Times, 5 January 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/04/podcasts/the-daily/russia-ukraine-military-catastrophe.html. Accessed 9 February 2023.