Russia tells Syria, CAR, Mali it will manage Wagner forces after failed mutiny: report

Senior Russian officials have reportedly rushed to reassure the governments of countries in the Middle East and Africa where Wagner mercenaries operate that Moscow will keep them under control, a week after the mercenary group launched a mutiny attempt.

Russian foreign ministry officials spoke to leaders of Syria, the Central African Republic, and Mali 'to assure Russia’s partners in Africa and the Middle East that Wagner operations there would continue without interruption', The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

The American daily cited 'diplomats and intelligence officers, Wagner defectors, people briefed on the conversations and a review of international flight data'.

Russian deputy foreign minster flew to Damascus to deliver reassurances to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, WSJ reported. Moscow is a key backer of the Syrian regime, and Wagner mercenaries have reportedly aided Russian and regime forces maintain their hold during years of civil war in Syria that have left more than half a million Syrians dead.

As well as playing a pivotal role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Wagner mercenaries have also helped Russia grow its influence in other Middle Eastern and African countries, including the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, and Sudan.

The mercenary group, founded by former Kremlin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been accused of committing war crimes and other atrocities in these countries.

Russia had for years denied ties to Wagner and to Prigozhin – but Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that the armed group was being "fully funded" by Moscow, to the tune of $1 billion in the past year alone.