Wagner returns to the battlefield in eastern Ukraine

Wagner trở lại chiến trường miền Đông Ukraine - 1 — Former Wagner soldier returns to the battlefield of Donbass, Eastern Ukraine (Photo: RT).

Media reports say former members of the Wagner private military corporation (PMC) have officially joined the Russian armed forces and formed a unit to return to the Donbass battlefield in eastern Ukraine.

The mercenary group, also known as “Kamerton,” is now part of the Chechen Republic’s Akhmat Special Forces, and is believed to have been involved in the fighting between Moscow and Kiev almost since the conflict began more than a year ago.

Over the weekend, images and videos circulated on social media showing the Kamerton unit undergoing combat training at a base in Donbass.

The video shows members of the unit operating reconnaissance and combat drones, as well as storming simulated enemy positions and defensive trenches, and using artillery, mortars and heavy armor in simulated combat.

The unit's commander, whose identity has not been released, said members of the force were "determined to continue with their work", regardless of whether they fought as part of Wanger or the regular force.

He said his unit received orders from the commander of Akhmat Apti Alautdinov. At the same time, they were allowed to keep most of their combat methods and organizational structure intact. He added that the Russian military also provided the Akhmat unit with all the necessary supplies.

Details about the size of Akhmat are not yet clear. According to the force's commander, the unit consists of company-level tactical groups.

Earlier, Russian media reported that armored and artillery groups had been reinforced with former Wagner members. Specifically, Wagner accounted for about 60% of the personnel of the attack groups.

Earlier this month, Pravda news site revealed that Wagner had become a unit of the Russian National Guard (Rosgvardia) and continued to recruit new members.

This new unit is headed by Pavel Prigozhin (25 years old), son and sole heir of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin.

After Mr Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash in August, former Wagner members signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense and moved to the front in eastern Ukraine, while some members moved to Africa.

Wagner played a key role in Russia’s military campaign in eastern Ukraine, particularly in seizing control of the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast. However, Wagner’s relationship with the Russian military has been increasingly strained, which may have been the main reason why Wagner decided to withdraw from the Ukrainian battlefield in May.

After the failed uprising in Russia in June, Wagner soldiers were given the choice of either signing contracts with the Russian army or moving to Belarus or Africa.

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