Wagner Group Halts Ukraine Operations, Focus Shifts to Africa and Belarus

Russia's Wagner mercenary group announced it no longer participates in the Ukraine conflict, instead operating in Africa and Belarus. Ukraine urged Belarus to withdraw troops from their shared border, including Belarusian special forces and former Wagner soldiers. Reuters could not confirm Wagner's claims.

Russia's Wagner mercenary group has declared that it no longer partakes in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating its operations are now confined to Africa and Russian ally Belarus. Ukraine, however, has urged Belarus to pull back its significant forces deployed along their shared border, which include Belarusian special forces and former Wagner mercenaries.

In an unusual statement, Wagner clarified that its personnel are exclusively working in Africa and Belarus, denying any involvement with the Russian National Guard or Ministry of Defense. The group emphasized, 'There are no divisions of the company in the Russian National Guard, in the ranks of the Russian Ministry of Defense, or anywhere else.'

Wagner also noted that it is not participating in the 'Special Military Operation' in Ukraine at this stage, using the Kremlin's terminology for the war. Reuters could not independently verify Wagner's claims. 'In case of a change in the situation, it will be announced,' the statement added. The group's involvement in Africa, particularly in support of the military junta in Mali, continues to draw concern from the West.

Previously, Wagner played a pivotal role in Russia's war effort in Ukraine, especially during the prolonged battle for Bakhmut, which it captured in May 2023. The group's founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was among those killed in a plane crash on August 23, 2023, following an attempted mutiny against Russia's defense establishment.

(With inputs from agencies.)