Russia: PMC Wagner Resumes ‘Urgent’ Recruitment

Following the August 2023 demise of Russia’s Wagner Group leader, Evgeniy Prigozhin, the group underwent some organizational changes, despite of which it continues to operate and appears to be revitalizing its activities in Africa and intensifying its recruitment efforts.

Telegram channels associated with the Wagner Group began late February actively advertising job opportunities, signaling a renewed push in their operations.

The posts offer little details, mention that the work is going to be in the “Far Direction”, and highlight that the Group has “a lot of work in Africa.” The posts were published on the official recruitment Telegram channel and the Wagner Group in Belarus Channel.

Post from Wagner Group (Source: Telegram)

The Wagner Group appears to have entered into agreements with the Russian Ministry of Defense, incorporating its personnel into this framework and mandating their adherence to the directives of the Russian Federation government. Nonetheless, commentary indicates that the contracts for operations in Africa are now being secured directly with private military companies, bypassing the Ministry of Defense.

Comment under the recruitment post saying “I called, and the recruiters mentioned in the post said that the contract is with the company, not with the [National] Guard”

This indicates that the Wagner Group has enough resources and connections across Africa to exist and expand. The most influential campaign of Wagner is going on in Central African Republic.

Also, Wagner Group seems to be returning to the Ukrainian front.

Dmitry Rogozin, a Russian senator and former leader of Roscosmos, the national aerospace agency, is alleged to have close links with the private military company (PMC) Wagner. According to “Bloknot,” a Russian news platform known for its pro-government stance, he is said to have facilitated Yevgeny Prigozhin’s participation in the Syrian conflict.

Additionally, the Wagner Group’s website has recently announced job openings related to operations on the Ukrainian front.

Screenshot from Wagner Group website with the text saying: “Soon we return to defend the interests of our homeland in the territory of the special military operation. The conclusion is near. The prolonged plot pause is coming to an end and the climax begins.”

At the start of March, the website announced a recruitment drive for PMC “Redut,” which is reportedly linked to the GRU, Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate.

The recent calls for recruitment, aimed at both African and Ukrainian operations, highlight a sense of urgency, suggesting that the Russian government is currently placing significant emphasis on private military operations, including those that advance Russia’s interests in Africa.

It should be noted that PMC Redut operates in a similar legal framework to PMC Wagner, with contracts being signed independently of the Russian Ministry of Defense. This distinction appears to be crucial for the supporters and members of the Wagner group. Following Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mutiny in June 2023, the group has positioned itself in opposition to the Russian government and the Ministry of Defense, which has been held accountable for Wagner’s setbacks in the Ukrainian conflict.

A comment from one of the Wagner-focused Telegram channels discussed the perceived superfluous recruitment for operations in Africa. The commenter highlighted several concerns, including the necessity to replace the top officials overseeing the conflict in Ukraine, the lack of clear objectives in what the Russian government refers to as the “special military operation” in Ukraine, and the mysterious deaths of Alexei Navalny, Ivan Sechin, and Evgeniy Prigozhin. This viewpoint garnered agreement from other pro-Wagner users within the same Telegram channel.