Filenews 28 March 2022
Russia's Wagner group withdrew about 1,300 of its mercenaries from Libya via Syria to participate in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to statements by military and strategic expert – Colonel Abdel Kafi, to the Turkish news agency Anadolu.
According to Kafi, "the total number of Russian mercenaries on Libyan soil is about 2,200. Because of its war with Ukraine, Russia decided to withdraw 1,300 Wagner cadres, leaving only 900."
He added that the men of the paramilitary group had withdrawn from their positions along a highway connecting the areas of Syrti and Jafra in central Libya, while strengthening their positions at the strategic air bases of Al-Jufra and Brak Al-Shati.
It's not the first time
This is not the first allegation about Wagner's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine, which began on February 24 and has now entered its second month.
A few days after the war began, Ihor Ostash, Ukraine's ambassador to Lebanon, accused Russia of sending 400 Wagner mercenaries to Kiev to assassinate Zelensky and leaders and other top officials.
The number of Wagner mercenaries in Libya varies according to information, but the head of the Supreme Council of State Khaled Al-Mishri estimated their number at about 7,000, along with 30 aircraft.
This group has been targeted in the series of sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries.
The latest sanctions Britain announced Thursday targeted "those assisting Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including the Wagner Group."
in.gr
