There are 27 PMCs in Russia today – political scientist Piontkovsky

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"Today, there are 27 PMCs in Russia. The question is, why are they needed? They are not needed for the war with Ukraine. The fact is that the people who found these PMCs already see themselves in another, next war. Realizing that the war with Ukraine has already been lost, they are lining up for the next mafia war between different groups for the huge economic inheritance that will remain after Russia's defeat and the inevitable withdrawal of Putin's group," Piontkovsky said. 

According to the political scientist, PMCs will start fighting for large chunks of Russian property.

"For Krasnoyarsk nickel, aluminum, Norilsk nickel. This is what these criminal groups are created for. In fact, the idea of defeat has already taken hold of the mass of generals and senior Russian leadership. We are absolutely sure of Ukraine's victory," Piontkovsky emphasized.

• On February 10, analysts at the Institute for War Studies concluded that Wagner PMC continues to recruit convicts, but in smaller numbers. 

• Wagner PMC stopped recruiting convicts because of their unwillingness to fight and the conflict between its owner Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russian Defense Ministry.