The Wagner mercenary group has been listed in Belarus as an “educational organization”. The point of entry corresponds to the area where Wagner’s troops are likely to be. However, the future of the mercenaries remains uncertain.
According to media reports on Wednesday, the group was registered as a joint stock company on August 4. The presence of the Wagner mercenaries has recently caused uncertainty in neighboring Belarusian states, as training maneuvers were carried out only a few kilometers from the country’s borders.
In response, Lithuania temporarily closes two of its six border crossings with the neighboring country. “This decision is one of the preventive measures to contain threats to national security and possible provocations at the border,” Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite said. This allows more personnel to be deployed to guard and protect the border.
Belarus criticizes “unfriendly measures”
Belarus reacted angrily to the decision of the neighboring country. It was a “further, non-constructive and unfriendly measure” on the part of the Lithuanian government, the Belarusian border guard told the Telegram online service on Wednesday.
The Latvian Border Guard also mobilized additional troops on Tuesday to deal with the “rapidly increasing hybrid threat” at the border. The authority also requested support from the armed forces and police. Defense Minister Inara Murniece then ordered the army to send additional troops to the border.
Poland brings thousands of soldiers to the border
Poland also fears for its safety. Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak wants to send up to 10,000 soldiers to the border with Belarus. 4,000 should directly support the border guard, 6,000 are in reserve. “We are moving the army closer to the border with Belarus to deter the aggressor – and so he does not dare to attack us.”
It is anything but clear how the mercenary squad will continue. According to British findings, Wagner will probably no longer be funded by the Russian state and will have to downsize. The Ministry of Defense in London recently announced that the aim is to save on personnel costs.
Belarus as “paymaster”?
“If the Russian state stops paying Wagner, the Belarusian authorities will be the second most plausible paymaster,” it said. However, this would strain Belarus’ resources. According to official information, Wagner mercenaries are currently training Belarusian soldiers there.
The group has long been a mainstay of the regular Russian military in the war against Ukraine. However, Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin massively publicly criticized the military leadership and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, accusing them of incompetence. At the end of June, Prigozhin ordered a mutiny against the military leaders and a march on Moscow. After two days, the mutiny was called off.
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.
