The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has announced the opening of 58 recruitment centers in Russia. Most of them are in sports centers and martial arts clubs. With “new fighters” they want to “make progress”, they have to “defend the country and the families”.
“Recruitment centers were opened on behalf of Wagner in 42 cities of the Russian Federation,” Prigozhin said on Friday in the Telegram channel of his company Concord.
Mercenaries are currently fighting in Bachmut
“New fighters are arriving there, they will join us to defend their country and their families,” he said, referring to the recruitment centers. The entrepreneur has not specified how many combatants should be recruited and how long the recruitment should last. The Wagner troops are currently fighting around and in Bachmut (see video above and below), the Ukrainians are offering fierce resistance.
Video: Wagner troops take a “tactical break” in Bachmut
Recruitment from prisons ended
The 61-year-old had spent months recruiting prisoners and promising them amnesty on their return to Russia if they survived the fighting in Ukraine. However, in early February, Prigozhin announced that recruitment in prisons had been halted, apparently under pressure from the Defense Ministry in Moscow.
“Overcoming obstacles together”
“Despite the colossal resistance of the Ukrainian armed forces, we will continue,” it said. Prigozhin, sanctioned by Washington and Brussels, adds about the tensions with the Russian Ministry of Defense: “Despite the obstacles that have come our way (…) we will overcome this together.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
