The Wagner Group is a Russian private military organization (PMC) with alleged close ties to the Kremlin. It has been accused of fighting in various conflicts, including in Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and in parts of Africa.
Reports suggest over 400 Wagner mercenaries were sent to Kyiv to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, although this hasn't been confirmed. The group's mercenaries have been accused of serious human rights abuses, including torture, rape, and extrajudicial killings.
Ukraine has long accused the Wagner Group of operating within its borders. American officials have also indicated evidence of Wagner's involvement in the ongoing war with Russia.
The Wagner Group's relationship to the Russian state remains unclear, though it's widely believed to have close ties to the Kremlin. The group's operations raise concerns about Russia's involvement in global conflicts and its disregard for international law.