Photo: Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Photo
Russia is stepping up the activities of PMC "Wagner" outside of Ukraine. The number of operations involving militants has increased in Africa and Europe. Mercenaries are used to suppress anti-Putin sentiment and advance Russian interests in the mining industry.
Such information was shared by Politico in a new voluminous material, citing classified data from officials. According to the publication, the administration of President Joe Biden is concerned about the ability of Wagner militants to increase Russia's influence in countries with which the United States maintains business and diplomatic relations. PMC mercenaries have increased the number of operations in Mali, the Central African Republic, and Serbia. The United States closely monitors Wagner's activities in the last two countries.
The United States is investigating a possible attack on one of the top Wagner leaders in the Central African Republic, Dmitry Syty. It is alleged that he received a package with an explosive device. Inside, there was supposedly a note confirming the French's involvement in the attack. Official Paris denied these accusations.
The United States received a lot of conflicting information about the location of the incident, Sytyi's hospitalization, and injury. The Biden administration is also concerned about the number of coincidences that have occurred since the alleged attack on the Wagner executive. This includes the fire at the EU headquarters in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.
As for Serbia, the militants announced the start of operations in the country in early December last year. According to classified data, their actions aim to suppress anti-Putin sentiment among the Russian diaspora. And the second reason for the presence of militants in the state is the tension on the border with Kosovo.
The United States has already taken action against Wagner, in particular, the leader of the PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who fell under sanctions. However, in the near future, the States should introduce additional financial restrictions.
