Since the failed coup attempt in Russia at the end of June, the head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has reportedly been staying in Belarus. The oligarch had been leading his mercenaries in a march against Moscow that has been stopped just outside the Russian capital.You can read Vladimir Putin's first statement about it here.
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Following the recent events in Niger, the Wagner Group has now come under increased scrutiny again - the insurgents from the West African country are said to have already requested the help of the mercenary force, according to several sources.
Praise for 'the Wagner boys'
As reported by the Frankfurter Rundschau and the Berliner Zeitung, Prigozhin has now commented on the events on his Telegram channel and praised his mercenaries in the highest terms. He is apparently 'proud of the Wagner boys'.
Compared to his mercenary force, Al-Qaida and ISIS are nothing more than 'small, obedient, silky boys,' Prigozhin continues. He is thus referring to US efforts to mediate the conflict in Niger and mocks the US State Department's concern that Wagner mercenaries might be deployed in Niger.
Read more:Vladimir Putin could be losing close military ally in Russia as alleged feud escalates
Mockery for US Undersecretary of State Nuland
As reported by Der Spiegel, on July 26, the country's military arrested incumbent President Bazoum and declared Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the presidential guard, as the new president. France and the US in particular have since sought to mediate the conflict and restore the democratic government to power.
However, a visit by US Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland did not lead to any result in this regard - which Prigozhin also picked up on. According to him, the US ultimately accepted the new government in Niger 'only not to meet the PMC Wagner in the country'.
Meanwhile, Putin is apparently doing everything he can in Russia to arm his troops - reports of a possible mobilization have only recently emerged. The Russian president also apparently wants to arm his private army.
Read more:Vladimir Putin's 'private army': Everything to know about the Wagner Group and Yevgeny Prigozhin
This article has been translated from Gentside DE.
Sources used:
Frankfurter Rundschau: "Prigoschin amüsiert sich über USA im Niger – und vergleicht Wagner-Gruppe mit ISIS und Al-Qaida"
Spiegel: "Umsturz in Niger: Putschisten sollen Wagner-Söldner kontaktiert haben"
Berliner Zeitung: "'Stolz auf die Jungs': Prigoschin äußert sich zum Niger-Putsch und Nuland-Besuch"
