Facts: The Wagner group
The Wagner group is a private mercenary company with unofficial connections to the Russian state leadership.
Its top leader and main financier is Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has close ties to Vladimir Putin.
The Wagner group is deemed to have been allowed to carry out missions for which the Russian state or the army does not want to take responsibility or have to account for.
The group was first mentioned in connection with Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014, when soldiers entered there without designation. Later, it has appeared in many countries where Russia seeks influence: in Syria, Libya, Sudan, Venezuela, the Central African Republic and others.
The Wagner group led a shadowy existence for a long time, but in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has taken a more formal role, alongside and occasionally in some competition with the Russian army.
In October 2022, a formal Wagner headquarters was opened in a glass-fronted high-rise in St. Petersburg.
The Wagner group is a notorious private mercenary force that has operated in, among other places, Libya, Syria, Mali – and right now in Ukraine, where it has come to play a key role in the Russian offensive.
Peter Hultqvist states that the Wagner group is accused of brutal war crimes.
— There is no respect whatsoever for human rights, international law and the UN Charter.
— Russia is using the Wagner group to do things they themselves do not want to be responsible for, that is completely unacceptable.
Peter Hultqvist (S) is also chairman of the defense committee. Stock image. Apply pressure
A terrorist labeling of the group would partly send a strong signal, and partly make it more difficult for the group to operate, he believes.
— It would make it easier to bring charges, follow the financial operations, hold members accountable. The idea is also that it will make recruitment more difficult and put pressure on states that hire the Wagner group.
Hultqvist will ask the question about terrorist labeling to Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M).
— I think this is an issue that Sweden should take responsibility for and pursue during the EU presidency, says Hultqvist.
Classified as a criminal
The United States decided in January to classify the Wagner group as a criminal organization. Discussions about a terrorist designation are said to be ongoing. The issue has also been raised in the EU context, but no decision has been made.
TT: Would a terrorist designation have any impact on the Ukraine war?
— It is important to focus on this type of brutal organization and create international legitimacy around following up their activities. It would clearly have an effect on the Wagner group’s ability to operate, says Hultqvist.
– On the other hand, it is the case that Russia is using the Wagner group in the Ukraine war, and they will continue to do so.