This video discusses the rise of the secretive private military organization known as the Wagner Group. It begins with their initially mysterious appearance during Russia's takeover of Crimea and follows their involvement in various conflicts worldwide. The Wagner Group is named after the composer Richard Wagner, and its founder, Dmitri Utkin, has far-right connections. However, their primary motivation is profit. The Wagner Group operates as a global business involved in activities like oil trading, construction, and online influence campaigns. Despite being banned under the Russian Constitution, they continue to receive equipment from the Russian government. The video highlights their recruitment of soldiers, often from prisons, and their connection to Russian power. The leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is a former chef of Putin and controls various enterprises. The video ends with an incident where Prigozhin's army clashed with the Russian military, sparking questions about the Kremlin's involvement.
Here are the key facts extracted from the provided text:
1. A group of unknown soldiers, initially known as 'the green men,' took over the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea nine years ago.
2. These soldiers were revealed to be a mix of Russian soldiers, separatists, and a mysterious private army called the Wagner Group.
3. The Wagner Group, initially secretive and unknown, has become infamous for brutal actions in African countries and its significant role in the Ukraine conflict.
4. The Wagner Group is likely named after the German composer Richard Wagner.
5. Wagner is primarily motivated by financial gain, involved in various industries, including oil, gold trading, construction companies, and troll armies.
6. Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as Putin's chef, is the leader of the Wagner Group and has connections to Putin's inner circle.
7. The Wagner Group is involved in combat missions and often receives equipment from the Russian government.
8. Prigozhin's business empire extends to financing films and troll armies attempting to influence US elections.
9. The Wagner Group recruits soldiers, sometimes from prisons, promising release after six months of fighting.
10. Prigozhin has become more visible as the face of Wagner as it gains fame, and there is a connection between him and the Kremlin.
11. An uprising occurred within the Wagner Group, causing chaos and leading to questions about Putin's involvement.
12. Putin has admitted that Russia is a client of the Wagner Group.
13. The Wagner Group's leader, Prigozhin, has become wealthy through these operations.
14. Wagner's influence extends internationally, and its future remains uncertain.
These facts provide a concise summary of the key information in the text.