Russia's Wagner trying to recruit more than 1,500 felons for Ukraine war - US official

A Russian private military company called the Wagner Group is trying to recruit more than 1,500 convicted felons for Russia's war against Ukraine. However, many of them are refusing to join, a top US defense official stated on Monday (19 September).

According to the US official, the information indicated that Wagner had suffered high losses in Ukraine, particularly among inexperienced young fighters. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Wagner Group was accused of conducting clandestine operations for the Kremlin by the European Union, which has now placed sanctions against it.

Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, has stated that the group does not represent Russian state. However, private military contractors are allowed to work anywhere in the world so long as they don't violate Russian law.

A US official pointed out recent videos on social media that appeared to show Yevgeny Privozhin, who the US Treasury Department has said is connected to the Wagner Group, in an apparent attempt to recruit prisoners.

It appeared that Prigozhin was trying to recruit Russian prisoners, as well as Tajiks and Belarusians.

Rights groups and the Ukrainian government have accused Wagner Group fighters of war crimes in Syria, eastern Ukraine and elsewhere from 2014 to date.

British military intelligence stated in July that Russia had used Wagner to support its frontline forces during the Ukraine conflict.

According to the Pentagon, Russia has sustained between 70,000-80,000 deaths or injuries since its invasion of Ukraine started.

Ukraine extended its control on recently captured territory Monday as troops moved further east into Russia's abandoned areas, opening the way to an attack on the Donbas region's occupation forces.