- By Jaroslav Lukiv
- BBC News
Image supply, VoenTV/Belarusian Defence Ministry by way of Reuters
Images have emerged purportedly displaying Wagner fighters coaching Belarusian troopers at a base south-east of Minsk
Ukraine’s border guard service has confirmed that Wagner mercenaries have now arrived in Belarus from neighbouring Russia.
The DPSU says it’s assessing what number of “militants” are in Belarus, which additionally shares a border with Ukraine, in addition to their precise location and targets.
One unconfirmed report mentioned a convoy of some 60 Wagner autos rolled over the border into Belarus early on Saturday.
In June, Wagner’s mutiny challenged President Vladimir Putin’s authority.
A deal ended the 24-hour rebel, which noticed the troops seize a metropolis and march on Moscow – aborting it simply 200km (124 miles) from the capital.
Under the settlement, Wagner fighters have been informed they might be a part of both the common Russian military or go to Belarus, a detailed ally of Russia. The Wagner chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was additionally supplied a transfer to Belarus, nonetheless his present whereabouts are unknown.
Wagner is a Russian personal army firm made up of mercenary fighters – a lot of whom have been recruited from Russian prisons. They have fought a few of the bloodiest battles since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February final yr.
DPSU spokesman Andriy Demchenko confirmed Wagner’s presence in Belarus in a brief assertion on Saturday.
He mentioned Ukrainian border guards have been “continuing to monitor the situation” throughout the nation’s northern border. He offered no additional particulars.
Earlier in the day, a Telegram channel related to a outstanding Belarusian opposition blogger reported that a big Wagner convoy entered Belarus from Russia.
Belaruski Hajun channel mentioned the autos – together with pickups, lorries and buses – have been being accompanied by Belarusian visitors police as they headed to the city of Osipovichy, about 85km (53 miles) south-east of the capital Minsk.
The Belarusian authorities – which view Belaruski Hajun as an extremist channel – have not commented on the problem.
On Friday, Belarus’ defence ministry mentioned Wagner troops have been now performing as army instructors for the nation’s territorial defence forces. It mentioned the fighters have been coaching Belarusian forces “in a number of military disciplines” close to Osipovichy.
Earlier this week, President Putin revealed that Prigozhin had rejected a suggestion for his fighters to affix the Russian military as an everyday unit.
He informed Russia’s Kommersant newspaper that many group commanders had backed the plan, to be led by a senior Wagner determine, throughout talks in Moscow on 29 June.
But he mentioned that Prigozhin’s reply was “the guys [Wagner troops] do not agree with this decision”.
Mr Putin additionally mentioned that underneath Russian legislation, Wagner “does not exist”, as a result of mercenary teams are usually not formally recognised. But that “difficult issue” must be mentioned in parliament, the president added.
The Kremlin seems to wish to differentiate between the Wagner chief and common Wagner fighters, driving a wedge between them, says the BBC’s Russia editor Steve Rosenberg in Moscow.
He provides that this may clarify the makes an attempt in Russia’s state media to discredit Prigozhin.
Since the 23 June mutiny, there have been conflicting and unconfirmed studies of Prigozhin’s whereabouts.
He is a former Putin loyalist and as soon as even nicknamed “Putin’s chef” for his catering contracts with the Kremlin. But public infighting between Prigozhin and Russia’s ministry of defence over the conduct of the struggle have put him at steep odds with Russia authorities.
US President Joe Biden mentioned on Thursday that Prigozhin must be cautious of poisoning following the mutiny.
Watch: The day Wagner chief went rogue… in 96 seconds