Wagner Mercenaries Arrive in Belarus from Russia, Confirms Ukraine’s Border Guard Service

Wagner Mercenaries Arrive in Belarus, Ukraine’s Border Guard Service Confirms

Ukraine’s border guard service has confirmed that Wagner mercenaries, a Russian private military company, have arrived in Belarus from neighboring Russia. The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (DPSU) is currently assessing the number of “militants” in Belarus, their exact location, and their goals. While the exact number of Wagner fighters in Belarus remains unknown, an unconfirmed report suggests that a convoy of approximately 60 Wagner vehicles crossed the border into Belarus early on Saturday.

In June, Wagner mercenaries staged a mutiny that challenged President Vladimir Putin’s authority. The rebellion, which lasted for 24 hours, saw the troops seize a city and march towards Moscow, only to be stopped just 200km (124 miles) from the capital. As part of a deal to end the mutiny, Wagner fighters were given the option to join the regular Russian army or go to Belarus, a close ally of Russia. The leader of Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was also offered a move to Belarus, but his current whereabouts are unknown.

Wagner is known for its involvement in the bloodiest battles since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year. The presence of Wagner fighters in Belarus has raised concerns among Ukrainian border guards, who are closely monitoring the situation along the country’s northern border. The DPSU spokesman, Andriy Demchenko, provided no further details regarding the presence of Wagner in Belarus.

A Telegram channel associated with a prominent Belarusian opposition blogger reported that a large Wagner convoy entered Belarus from Russia. The vehicles, including pickups, lorries, and buses, were reportedly accompanied by Belarusian traffic police as they headed towards the town of Osipovichy, located about 85km (53 miles) southeast of the capital, Minsk. The Belarusian authorities, who view the Telegram channel as extremist, have not commented on the issue.

Belarus’ defense ministry announced on Friday that Wagner troops are now acting as military instructors for the country’s territorial defense forces. They are reportedly training Belarusian forces in various military disciplines near Osipovichy. President Putin revealed earlier this week that Prigozhin had rejected an offer for his fighters to join the Russian army as a regular unit. Putin stated that many group commanders had supported the plan, but Prigozhin disagreed.

The Kremlin appears to be trying to differentiate between the Wagner chief and regular Wagner fighters, driving a wedge between them. This explains the attempts in Russia’s state media to discredit Prigozhin. Since the mutiny in June, there have been conflicting and unconfirmed reports about Prigozhin’s whereabouts. He is a former Putin loyalist and was even nicknamed “Putin’s chef” for his catering contracts with the Kremlin. However, public infighting between Prigozhin and Russia’s Ministry of Defense over the conduct of the war has put him at odds with the Russian government.

US President Joe Biden warned Prigozhin to be careful of poisoning following the mutiny. The situation involving Wagner mercenaries in Belarus continues to develop, and further updates are expected in the coming days.

How might the arrival of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus impact the political unrest and protests in the country following President Lukashenko’s controversial re-election

Rthern border with Belarus. The Ukrainian government has previously accused Wagner mercenaries of participating in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been ongoing for years.

Belarus, a former Soviet republic, has been a close ally of Russia and has strengthened its ties with Moscow in recent years. The arrival of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus further deepens the existing cooperation between the two countries. It is unclear what their exact objectives are, but their presence has raised concerns in Ukraine.

The Wagner Group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, is a controversial company that has been linked to pro-Kremlin activities in various conflicts around the world. Its members have been accused of committing human rights abuses and war crimes in countries like Syria and Libya. The Russian government has denied any official affiliation with Wagner, describing its members as “volunteers” rather than mercenaries.

The situation in Belarus is already tense due to ongoing political unrest following the controversial re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko in August. Protests have been taking place in the country for months, with demonstrators calling for the resignation of Lukashenko and demanding democratic reforms. The presence of Wagner mercenaries adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as it raises concerns about potential Russian involvement in suppressing the protests.

The Ukrainian border guard service’s efforts to assess the number and goals of the Wagner mercenaries in Belarus are ongoing. It is crucial for Ukraine to closely monitor the situation to ensure the safety of its borders and prevent any potential escalation of the conflict. The international community, particularly countries involved in the peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, should also pay close attention to this development and work towards a peaceful resolution.