Espreso. Global

Wagner soldiers in Belarus prepare provocations on EU border

28 July, 2023 Friday
20:30

Wagner mercenaries based in Belarus are preparing for provocations on the border with Poland and Lithuania

client/title.list_title

This was reported by Ukraine’s National Resistance Centre.

"In Grodno, 100 Wagner soldiers arrived in the Suwalki Gap area to organise provocations on Belarus’ border with Poland and Lithuania. The majority of the newly arrived terrorists have experience in smuggling and transporting illegal migrants. They are preparing to stage provocations on the border between Poland and Lithuania," the National Resistance Centre writes.

The criminals received the uniforms of Belarusian border guards, and under the guise of Belarusian staff will accompany refugees in their attempts to cross the border.

How the Wagner Group’s mercenaries ended up in Belarus

After the mutiny of Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in late June, the Kremlin announced the relocation of Wagner mercenaries to Belarus.

On June 27, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko confirmed the arrival of Yevgeny Prigozhin in the country. According to him, Wagner mercenaries  who arrived with him will not guard the Russian tactical nuclear weapons deployed there. However, Lukashenko emphasized that he expects the mercenaries to help in the defense of Belarus, without specifying the potential source of the country's perceived threat.

On June 29, a satellite recorded the construction of a tent camp near Asipovichy in the Mogilev region of Belarus, and on July 3, Russian media published a photo of an alleged Wagner camp.

On July 11, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense stated that the Wagner mercenaries would train the Belarusian army.

On July 14, media reported that training sessions with units of the territorial troops were taking place near Asipovichy (Belarus), where Wagner PMC fighters were acting as instructors in some military disciplines.

On the morning of July 15, a large convoy of cars and trucks with license plates of the so-called DPR and LPR was spotted in Belarus. Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service confirmed that those were mercenaries of the Wagner PMC.

On Sunday, July 16, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported that two flags - of Russia and the Wagner PMC - had been installed at the checkpoint on the border between Belarus and Russia.

Wagner Group announced that on July 30, their main base in the Russian Federation, located in the village of Molkino in Krasnodar Krai, would be closed.

On July 19, Wagner PMC financier Yevgeny Prigozhin addressed Wagner fighters in Belarus, calling the situation at the front a "disgrace" and urging mercenaries to "wait for the moment to show their full potential."

As of the morning of July 20, Wagner mercenaries continued to arrive in Belarus, but did not pose a threat to Ukraine.

Later, on July 23, self-appointed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko announced the desire of the mercenaries from the Russian Wagner PMC to "go on an excursion" to Poland. The same day, it was reported that the tenth column of Wagner's mercenaries, which included at least ten pieces of equipment, had arrived in Belarus.

The ISW stated that there is no evidence that Wagner's mercenaries in Belarus have the heavy weapons necessary for a serious offensive against Ukraine or Poland.

On July 25, the 11th column of Wagner's mercenaries arrived in Belarus, this time with armored vehicles. The convoy included at least 29 vehicles. It was also revealed  who led them in Belarus.

On July 27, the National Resistance Center reported that Wagner PMC units were looking for people in Belarus who were ready to fight against Lithuania and Poland. Also the same day Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported that the twelfth column of Wagner's PMC, which included at least 50 pieces of equipment, had arrived in Belarus.

On July 28, 13th convoy of mercenaries with at least 80 vehicles arrived in Belarus. 

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Sunday
22 December
21:13
Orbán’s gas strategy: Trap for Ukraine and Europe
20:55
OPINION
Russia's internal existence is obscurantism
20:32
Meloni warns Russia may use migrants to destabilize Europe
20:15
Abrams tank crew survives FPV drone attack in Kursk region
19:59
Exclusive
How Russia attempts to discredit Ukrainian charitable foundations
19:44
Russia shells eight settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, killing one person
19:41
Updated
Russian soldiers execute 4 Ukrainian POWs from 110th Brigade in Donetsk region
19:17
North Korea supplies KN-15 ballistic missiles to Russia – reports
18:53
Dead dolphins wash up on coast after Russian oil tankers collide in Black Sea
18:36
Drones target Russia’s Oryol region, causing fire at oil depot
18:16
End of Russia's war against Ukraine: IMF does not rule out combat until mid-2026
17:56
Review
Destroying radars and blinding enemy air defense: Insights into the AGM-88 HARM missile that shocked Russia
17:30
2025 must be the year of a just peace for Ukraine – Zelenskyy
17:03
Putin threatens Ukraine with "greater destruction" after Kazan strike
16:46
OPINION
Civilians are weakest link in war of attrition
16:18
Russian forces kill commander of Free Georgia unit in Kursk region
15:49
EU prepares new sanctions package against Russia for third anniversary of full-scale invasion of Ukraine
15:17
OPINION
Ukraine–NATO: Endless entry process
14:53
Russia spreads false rally calls in Europe "against human rights violations in Ukraine"
14:22
Ukrainian Defense Forces destroy armored Russian group in Kupyansk
13:51
Exclusive
Fico seeks Putin's favor post-war – political scientist Reiterovych
12:57
Poland did not down Russian missiles as they posed no threat to its territory – Defense Minister
12:30
OPINION
Can Russia really collapse?
11:58
186 frontline clashes in one day: Russian forces step up in Vremivka direction
11:33
Ukraine will retaliate against Russian terror with strikes on military targets — Zelenskyy
10:58
Russia attacks Ukraine with Shahed drones and missiles: Debris hits high-rise in Brovary
10:36
Russia loses 3 air defense systems, 15 tanks and 1,820 soldiers in one day of war in Ukraine
2024, Saturday
21 December
19:45
Exclusive
NATO troops in Ukraine will prevent Putin's next invasion - opposition politician Feygin
19:26
Exclusive
Russian troops desperate to cross Dnipro River in Kherson region at any cost - Ukrainian colonel
19:08
Russia ramps up aircraft shelter construction to counter Ukrainian drone attacks
18:47
Russian forces attempt to cross Dnipro River in southern Ukraine every day
18:30
Russian forces fine residents of occupied Luhansk region for 'abortion propaganda'
18:09
110 combat clashes occur on Russian-Ukrainian front: heaviest fighting in Kursk region
17:54
Poland donates three Mi-8, Bell 412-HP helicopters to Ukraine
17:31
OPINION
Ending war: fewer scenarios remain
17:12
Russia deploys over 550 guided bombs, 550 UAVs, 20 missiles to attack Ukraine this week - Zelenskyy
16:53
Exclusive
Russia intends to negotiate without ceasefire, says opposition politician
16:34
Ukraine's Armed Forces form unit to protect cultural heritage
16:20
Updated
Drones attack elite high-rise buildings in Russia's Kazan, explosions heard at gunpowder plant
16:16
Ukraine approves Wolly remote-controlled combat module for use in army
More news