Britain's defence intelligence on Friday found that private military fighters are a key component of Russia's 'Special operation' over Ukraine and upto 50,000 private personnel are fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
The British intelligence found that members of Wagner Paramilitary Group are a key component of the Ukraine war. “Wagner almost certainly now commands up to 50,000 fighters in Ukraine and has become a key component of the Ukraine campaign,” the intel report said.
According to reports, the proxy paramilitary Wagner Group formally registered as a legal entity and declared 'management consultancy' as its core activity in December last year. The intelligence said no mention was made about Wagner's combat services in the registration. Private Military Companies remain illegal in Russia, despite protracted discussions about reforming the law, the intel report said.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner's owner admitted to founding the Group in September last year and the Group opened its headquarters in St.Petersburg in October. British Intelligence suggested that the registration aims to legitimise the high-profile private military organisation.
