Russia’s private military force, explained

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  • čas přidán 13. 02. 2023
  • Inside the Wagner Group’s playbook.
    Subscribe and turn on notifications 🔔 so you don't miss any videos: goo.gl/0bsAjO
    On January 10, 2023, the Ukrainian town of Soledar was reportedly captured. But it wasn’t captured by the Russian army under Vladimir Putin’s command. The announcement came from a relatively unknown man, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who said his troops now controlled the town. The troops are part of the Wagner Group, a private army that has become a prominent force alongside Russian troops in the war against Ukraine.
    But they aren’t new. They've been secretly fighting for Russia around the world since 2014. In this video, we take a look at their playbook and examine the three main steps they use to spread Russian influence around the world in brutal ways. We also look at how they’ve transformed from a ghost army to a recognizable private military group with insignias and an online brand, changing the nature of this secret group and its role in the world.
    Sources and further reading:
    Candace Rondeaux’s detailed report about the Wagner Group can be found here:
    www.newamerica.org/internatio...
    For a summary of Syria’s ongoing conflict, we recommed this brief overview by CFR:
    www.cfr.org/global-conflict-t...
    If you’d like to understand France’s role in Mali in more depth, check out this Q&A by CSIS:
    www.csis.org/analysis/end-ope...
    And to get a more detailed understanding of Wagner’s arrival in Mali, including additional satellite imagery, check out this CSIS investigation:
    ​​www.csis.org/analysis/trackin...
    For a more in-depth look at the mass grave linked to Wagner Groups in Mali, you can read and watch France 24’s coverage here:
    www.france24.com/en/africa/20...
    This UN report (in French) provides an overview of the human impact the conflict and the Wagner Group have had on civilians in Mali:
    minusma.unmissions.org/sites/...
    You can find the full transcript of the 2017 meeting between Russian president Vladimir Putin and then-president of Sudan Omar Al-Bashar here:
    en.kremlin.ru/events/president...
    This investigation by OCCPR reveals the links between Wagner’s gold mining ties and Sudanese military companies in detail:
    www.occrp.org/en/investigatio...
    To understand how the Wagner Group brands itself and shows up online and around the world, we checked Prigozhin’s telegram account here:
    t.me/concordgroup_official/254
    And Reverse Side of the Medal, the Wagner Group’s unofficial telegram account:
    tlgrm.ru/channels/@rsotmdivision
    Make sure you never miss behind-the-scenes content in the Vox Video newsletter, sign up here: vox.com/video-newsletter
    Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out www.vox.com
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Komentáře • 4,5K

  • @a.vidal-rosset8221
    @a.vidal-rosset8221 Před rokem +9089

    For the Wagner massacres in Mali, Wagner and the local military actually blamed the French troops that had just left. What they didn’t expect, was that French military knew Wagner was coming and expected Wagner would takeover their former base so they filmed with surveillance drones, and actually recorded Wagner setting up the massacres

    • @loading2256
      @loading2256 Před rokem +1102

      The French didn't actually fillm the wagner group massacre civilians but they filmed them moving civilian bodies right by the former base to blame the French. As for where they found those bodies...

    • @bumin7095
      @bumin7095 Před rokem +304

      french again taking the L, The passiveness of France surprises me everytime.

    • @HebrewsElevenTwentyFive
      @HebrewsElevenTwentyFive Před rokem +1068

      @@bumin7095 They are not passive. They are milking many West African countries dry as we sit here and type.

    • @bumin7095
      @bumin7095 Před rokem

      @@HebrewsElevenTwentyFive China and Russia taking all the resources while france is pulling away.

    • @bigty5474
      @bigty5474 Před rokem +180

      @@bumin7095 what do you want us to do actually. We didn't have the right to send troops there anymore

  • @teaeternal
    @teaeternal Před rokem +2615

    Private military is just scary in general.

    • @8is
      @8is Před rokem +194

      Not really. They're always kept in check by their respective countries since no state is really willing to give up its military power. They're basically as scary as their home country is authoritarian. If you look at how private militaries eliminated somali piracy, you can see how interlinked it was with the US military, which is why it isn't seen as some scary thing but a necessary action to ensure free trade done partially by private means.

    • @jeltje50
      @jeltje50 Před rokem +246

      Basically modern day warlords.

    • @hmm7258
      @hmm7258 Před rokem

      They are not really private, it is a way for Russia to change wars hundreths kilometers away

    • @nicolasiden4074
      @nicolasiden4074 Před rokem +120

      Well in reality in this case it is not private. It belongs to russian governament, it is private only officially

    • @yanbarbosa8092
      @yanbarbosa8092 Před rokem

      ​@@8is the usa uses it s private companys to among other things foment coup in unfriendly countries so yes it's pretty scary when an imperialist state uses them

  • @KaluMallii
    @KaluMallii Před 11 měsíci +231

    This documentary aged well.

  • @akashshah1839
    @akashshah1839 Před 11 měsíci +134

    As a regular viewer of Vox, I had saved this video to watch later on someday. Today was the day to watch it when Wagner group has threatened Russian military. Coincidentally interesting 🤔

  • @Neutralino
    @Neutralino Před rokem +2677

    It’s “private” in name only. It’s a way for the Russian government to place blame elsewhere.

    • @wolfgangbr1576
      @wolfgangbr1576 Před rokem +111

      that's simply not true. Wagner is literally blaming the official military for every failure; Prigoshin is publicly portraying himself and his forces as the better alternative than the governmental institutions.

    • @RomanLavandos
      @RomanLavandos Před rokem +2

      @@wolfgangbr1576 opposition in russia that can take prisoners, mobiks, has its own army and wasn't thrown out of the window or drank novichok? navalny wasn't allowed to even have 10% of that before being poisoned and jailed. Yeah, definitely not affiliated with the russian government

    • @DemiG0D23
      @DemiG0D23 Před rokem +217

      @@wolfgangbr1576 And? It's just different branches of the same structure and elements of inner struggle for power. Like arguing you "technically" don't own a shell company because you pay a fee to third party to own it on paper, while you are de facto an owner and issue commands.

    • @Rudy2k5
      @Rudy2k5 Před rokem +42

      Exactly! It's simply a way for the regime to deny any implication in conflict around the world.

    • @VtTraves
      @VtTraves Před rokem

      United states and British are innocents. They have not stollen, sorry steeling resources from another countries. Invaded other countries.

  • @-nomi.-
    @-nomi.- Před rokem +2670

    State-supported corporation with a global reach based on military assets? I guess the methods of the East India Company and its ilk never truly went out of style.

    • @nocapnobs7845
      @nocapnobs7845 Před rokem +51

      It goes way back before the EIC.

    • @lm_b5080
      @lm_b5080 Před rokem +230

      i thought you were talking about the US invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan

    • @abrahamel-gothamy6472
      @abrahamel-gothamy6472 Před rokem

      American corporations too( Dole & Hailburton)! Dutch (Shell) and British (BP)! It’s all bad

    • @Neutralino
      @Neutralino Před rokem +247

      @@lm_b5080 The classic playbook of bringing up these at every single opportunity, regardless of the topic being discussed.

    • @catmonarchist8920
      @catmonarchist8920 Před rokem +12

      Sounds like the knights templar

  • @vukadzemovic2375
    @vukadzemovic2375 Před 11 měsíci +24

    Anyone here after Wagner coup?

  • @ayushsachan1129
    @ayushsachan1129 Před 11 měsíci +16

    anybody here after Wagner's mutiny?

  • @thePronto
    @thePronto Před rokem +2915

    Interesting how Prigozhin can walk the tightrope of:
    - a legal company doing illegal business, with employees 'paroled' from state prisons
    - not associated with the Russian Ministry of Defense but clearly part of the command structure in Ukraine
    - not being a member of the ruling elite in Russia (Siloviki) but able to criticize them publicly
    It seems clear that if Putin goes, Prigozhin goes too.

    • @Lucas-vd2gx
      @Lucas-vd2gx Před rokem +9

      Up you go sir!

    • @LevSeven_
      @LevSeven_ Před rokem +1

      It's actually a bit more sinister. Prigozhin is taking this publicity, showing that the Wagner group is competent in stark contrast to the rest of the Russian military. His plan isn't to go when Putin goes, Prigozhin's plan is to take over once Putin is ousted.

    • @KasumiRINA
      @KasumiRINA Před rokem

      He probably goes earlier. Remember everyone claimed that Surkov was the gray cardinal behind putin? Well he's on home arrest now. Before that, Dugin was the media's top putin's rasputin... as irrelevant as he was. Prigozhin was used and will be discarded when he isn't needed.

    • @81OH4Z4RD
      @81OH4Z4RD Před rokem

      If Putin goes i suspect it will be with a Wagner bullet.

    • @johnyj2082
      @johnyj2082 Před rokem +116

      Lie, upon a lie, upon a lie - all contradicting each other. Simply the russian way of living.

  • @wizzzer1337
    @wizzzer1337 Před rokem +1355

    We sometimes forget that historically in warfare mercenaries are the the norm rather than the exception. the wars between states being fought almosy exclusively by nationalized militaries is a relatively recent thing.
    Even the greatest Empires of old heavily relied on mercenaries.

    • @dardoura
      @dardoura Před rokem +167

      bro some people were born yesterday and will take this video as a start of a history lesson then go and act as experts. People need to realise that this is one of the many military groups out there and they mainly do it for money and 'favors'. The only difference is, this group has light shed on them. Others are still working in the dark.

    • @KasumiRINA
      @KasumiRINA Před rokem +44

      @@dardoura in russia, mercenaries are illegal. The "mercenary" groups you hear about got a special permission from putin, they're effectively just another branch of russian armed force like VDV or Bars reservists.

    • @GCOSBenbow
      @GCOSBenbow Před rokem +63

      Even modern wars are fought mostly with mercenaries it just isn't as publicised. The only partial exception to that would be the second world war as most countries had forced conscription and colonial empires spanning ~80% of the known world. The most notable mercenary group operating in WW2 would be the ghurkhas and even they were treated on paper just like any other regular soldier in the British army (other than the inhuman respect they garnered for their military prowess).

    • @dardoura
      @dardoura Před rokem +19

      @@KasumiRINA War itself is a crime so we can forget what's illegal. There are so called private military groups that you can rent, if you have the money and influence. It's not about nationality, it's politics and business.

    • @mbogucki1
      @mbogucki1 Před rokem +38

      Not really. Most wars were fought by militias or conscripts called upon during times of war.
      In the west the Romans changed all that by creating a professional army along of auxiliary. Other Empires followed.
      During the middle ages it was back to militias and conscripts as no one had the resources or funds for standing armies.
      Then as kingdoms gave way to states and countries it was back to professional armies.
      This is of course an over simplification but mercenaries were rarely the main force used in conflict and usually a supplement.

  • @Jayshiver
    @Jayshiver Před 11 měsíci +16

    Well, this is an awkward video to come back to

  • @royalmatarako1092
    @royalmatarako1092 Před 11 měsíci +11

    Who’s here after they started to turn on Putin

  • @ColourBlindHero
    @ColourBlindHero Před rokem +301

    "Vlad have you looked at our our symbol recently?
    I've just been looking at our symbol, it's got a skull on it.
    Vlad, are we the baddies?"😱

    • @matiassam2507
      @matiassam2507 Před rokem +14

      I got that reference HAHA

    • @oasis1282
      @oasis1282 Před rokem +8

      Pirates are fun

    • @aussiejezza
      @aussiejezza Před rokem +9

      You're become the very thing you swore to destroy

    • @vickomen3697
      @vickomen3697 Před rokem +16

      @@aussiejezza Oops! Just don't look at the Ukraininan Azov ones and their Bandera

    • @esanahka9284
      @esanahka9284 Před rokem +34

      @@vickomen3697 And instant whataboutism 😄 You Russian bots just can't argue about anything can you

  • @elfpr0n
    @elfpr0n Před rokem +471

    Do you have any articles about wagner's operations in indonesia? As an indonesian ive never heard about their activities here.

    • @Claudius8
      @Claudius8 Před rokem +109

      Yea, i'm also surprised when I saw Indonesia on the map

    • @noxtorism
      @noxtorism Před rokem +44

      Tried searching in Google but all i could find were only their activities in Africa but maybe that's because they're more popular there

    • @BreadyToCrumble
      @BreadyToCrumble Před rokem +136

      It's strange that they highlighted Indonesia - If Wagner was around in 1998 I would maybe understand, but not if Wagner was founded after 2014. The only thing I can think of them doing there is providing private security to some Russians, and that's it really. I'd still really like to see a source though.

    • @hambatuhan3165
      @hambatuhan3165 Před rokem +2

      @@BreadyToCrumble same here

    • @1nadjmi1
      @1nadjmi1 Před rokem +175

      VOx is using data from CSIS with title "The Expansion of Russian Private Military Companies" by Brian Katz, Seth G. Jones, Catrina Doxsee, Nicholas Harrington
      September 2020. It highlights Wagner was active in 2016 in Indonesia, eventhough the article did not mention what kind of activities Wagner conducted at the time.

  • @headerbidding
    @headerbidding Před 11 měsíci +15

    June 23, 2023. Comment for this historic moment.

  • @CivilGun
    @CivilGun Před 11 měsíci +15

    Who would've guess wagner was gonna pull a coup.

  • @jiq686
    @jiq686 Před rokem +541

    Wait, Prigozhin was a cater? That was some Netflix worth material

    • @KasumiRINA
      @KasumiRINA Před rokem +142

      He is often described by media as "putin's chef" but that's a misnomer. He essentially runs a catering business, yes, but it's the other way around with his company getting government contracts for catering BECAUSE he's friends with putin, and not the other way around. Prigozhin's basically does organized crime that's part of russia state at this point.

    • @MartijnterHaar
      @MartijnterHaar Před rokem +92

      He's a career criminal who spent most of the 80s in jail. After his release he got involved in the types of businesses criminals like, like casinos and restaurants.

    • @vasylisakot
      @vasylisakot Před rokem +13

      @@KasumiRINA , всё так, восхищаюсь вашими познаниями 👍🏻

    • @thePronto
      @thePronto Před rokem

      According to Wiki, he started off his 'catering career' as a street hotdog vendor, probably after he was released from prison (~10 years) for street crime and prostitution. He managed to get Russian government contracts for catering for schools and the Russian Army. He comes from Saint Petersburg, so that is the Putin connection.

    • @laincoubert7236
      @laincoubert7236 Před rokem +23

      yes, russian politics in general is worth writing scripts about lol prigozhin isn't even the most outrageous character in russia's modern history

  • @intelligent_toaster738
    @intelligent_toaster738 Před rokem +315

    fun fact: in the december of 2021 Prigozhin still denied his affiliance with the Wagner group. He even brought it to court when Alexei Venedictov (head of the independent radio station Echo of Moscow) was sued for 1 million rubles for his accusations of Prigozhin being the founder of the Wagner group. And Im pretty sure its not the only time someone was sued by Prigozhin for that.

    • @magakov99
      @magakov99 Před rokem +12

      independent media/radio stations do not exist

    • @marysartr
      @marysartr Před rokem +2

      It wasn't independent it's actually funded by the US

    • @sergsergo6581
      @sergsergo6581 Před rokem +7

      собака лаешь - ветер несёт

    • @gypsygypsy7185
      @gypsygypsy7185 Před rokem +1

      You mad 🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺

    • @zenith_linear
      @zenith_linear Před rokem

      Also existence of PMC is illegal according to Russian Constitution

  • @alr2157
    @alr2157 Před rokem +593

    Remember Blackwater?
    ...
    It was renamed Xe Services in 2009, and was again renamed Academi in 2011 after it was acquired by a group of private investors. In 2014, Academi merged with Triple Canopy, a subsidiary of Constellis Group. Later, Academi was fully integrated into the parent company, and now operates under the name Constellis.

    • @failuregaming6611
      @failuregaming6611 Před rokem +142

      The media will ensure people won't know about them.

    • @spacemichael9090
      @spacemichael9090 Před rokem

      @@failuregaming6611 every knows about black water and if you go to the Wikipedia page the first thing it says it is now under Constellis. This isn’t some big secret

    • @mohamedissa5676
      @mohamedissa5676 Před rokem

      Its only bad when someone else do it, But when the west do it it is OK

    • @sirlancelot8809
      @sirlancelot8809 Před rokem +163

      Video: about Wagner
      "but but but how about US?"

    • @pedroholsbach8592
      @pedroholsbach8592 Před rokem +156

      @Sir Lancelot It's relevant tho. Russia learned to use mercenaries to maintain a degree of plausible deniability from the US. The US popularized the use of mercenary groups as an extension of their own military in places like Afgjanistan and Iraq

  • @penduloustesticularis1202
    @penduloustesticularis1202 Před 11 měsíci +6

    When the vicious pitbull you raised turns on you. 🤣👍

  • @moussasouaibou7041
    @moussasouaibou7041 Před rokem +678

    In Iraq, the American army made massive use of private security companies, such as Xe (ex-Blackwater). The "incident reports" published by WikiLeaks in October 2010, showed that these companies were often involved in incidents that caused the death of civilians.

    • @rdamnitistillexist9189
      @rdamnitistillexist9189 Před rokem +47

      Ok... and

    • @renanfelipedossantos5913
      @renanfelipedossantos5913 Před rokem +40

      Yes, and?

    • @msmarium42
      @msmarium42 Před rokem +188

      Blackwater & Wagner are the same..
      They'll all go unpunished

    • @RedArrow808
      @RedArrow808 Před rokem +28

      Blackrock and the like bring shame to the American people

    • @Pantsinabucket
      @Pantsinabucket Před rokem +101

      Except blackwater wasn’t allowed to recruit prisoners, was nowhere near the size of Wagner, didn’t have heavy equipment, and wasn’t directly controlled by the US government.

  • @muzzamilsalman4117
    @muzzamilsalman4117 Před rokem +569

    i am here watching from sudan. its really heartbreaking to see that our resources are being wasted while our people are struggling to live day to day.

    • @BigBrotherMars
      @BigBrotherMars Před rokem +42

      Blame the Russians

    • @deontecoleman4582
      @deontecoleman4582 Před rokem

      They're lying Russia and China have they're own resources they don't need Africans resources.

    • @deontecoleman4582
      @deontecoleman4582 Před rokem

      @@BigBrotherMars I didn't even finish the video but they're lying it's vox!

    • @akunajoshua
      @akunajoshua Před rokem +83

      I am not blaming the Russians... The Russians have been very helpful to those who know exactly what is going on...

    • @strauss7151
      @strauss7151 Před rokem +34

      It's an IQ problem. Not anyone else's fault.

  • @chopdoublenine6946
    @chopdoublenine6946 Před rokem +3

    Very interesting, keep up the good work!

  • @fistfulhandy
    @fistfulhandy Před 11 měsíci +7

    Got back here after Wagner is turning their back against Putin.

  • @jude_the_apostle
    @jude_the_apostle Před rokem +319

    A massive reason you missed and probably the main reason, plausible deniability for the Russian government. Undeclared intervention was the new trend till Putin straight up invaded a country old school style

    • @overlord5068
      @overlord5068 Před rokem +16

      He did nothing wrong.

    • @overlord5068
      @overlord5068 Před rokem +7

      Are you crying?

    • @esanahka9284
      @esanahka9284 Před rokem +60

      @@overlord5068 I don't think he is crying, but i bet moms of about 130k Russians are crying for their dead sons 😄

    • @arslan0115
      @arslan0115 Před rokem +13

      Well, then remember how the US invaded Iraq.

    • @groupb9420
      @groupb9420 Před rokem +2

      @@esanahka9284 do you have links?

  • @gut9941
    @gut9941 Před rokem +56

    I just love it that you use the video description for a list of your sources and for furhter readings!

  • @evannehmadi9437
    @evannehmadi9437 Před rokem +2

    Great journalism, Vox! Keep it up!

  • @narrowpie
    @narrowpie Před 11 měsíci +6

    I'm here because of the current situation in Russia.

  • @Brodzik-kz8nt
    @Brodzik-kz8nt Před rokem +54

    basically it's Blackwater and any potential war crimes can be blamed on the PMC instead of the government

    • @Admiral-General_Aladeen
      @Admiral-General_Aladeen Před rokem +5

      Private mercenaries are also illegal under russian law meaning if wagner would ever become a problem they could just arrest all of them

  • @Smoothie--oy8ri
    @Smoothie--oy8ri Před rokem +297

    I know this might be nitpicking, but the Wagner Group is supposed to be pronounced with a "v" sound, not a "w" sound. The group got it's name from the German composer Richard Wagner. In addition, in Cyrillic it is spelled as "Группа Вагнера" and the "В" in Russian sounds exactly like an English "v".

    • @logat1847
      @logat1847 Před rokem +5

      Why’d they name themselves after Wagner?

    • @AndreaFasani
      @AndreaFasani Před rokem +133

      @@logat1847 wagner was loved by a certain political movement with the passion for swastikas.

    • @AndreaFasani
      @AndreaFasani Před rokem +36

      So annoying every time she repeats that

    • @alexanderherzog3064
      @alexanderherzog3064 Před rokem +25

      Yeah. I hate when people mispronounce easily pronounced words that they should be able to fact check on

    • @calvincostic
      @calvincostic Před rokem +44

      You're not wrong, but I think there's a decent argument to be made that the "w" sound is just part of the English translation of the name. Kind of like how nobody pronounces Volkswagen as the true German "folksvagen"

  • @jamesward5721
    @jamesward5721 Před rokem +59

    Supplying mercenary troops is one of the oldest businesses on earth. In past centuries, the Swiss were one of the most feared mercenaries - they decided most European conflicts depending on which side they chose to work for. Other feared mercenaries were the Russian-Germans - the Kriegers - or "Mercenary warriors" - their entire culture base was hiring soldiers to governments that needed muscle.
    This ^ is nothing new - it is an ancient business based on extreme violence for hire.

    • @Brucebanner1432
      @Brucebanner1432 Před 11 měsíci +1

      Even turks were very good mercenaries, probably one of the best in the world.

  • @taquilatricepss
    @taquilatricepss Před 11 měsíci +10

    well well well how the table have turned now

  • @joshuawilliams8841
    @joshuawilliams8841 Před rokem +704

    Phenomenal video Vox. Glad someone is illuminating this issue.

    • @jubbyquarkret4262
      @jubbyquarkret4262 Před rokem +39

      Bot

    • @arnavsharma1877
      @arnavsharma1877 Před rokem +1

      @@jubbyquarkret4262 they dont know about mosaic

    • @CrimsonAlchemist
      @CrimsonAlchemist Před rokem +47

      Sounds exactly like Black Water 😅 sponsored by US government

    • @vasylisakot
      @vasylisakot Před rokem +1

      Привет пригожинские тролли 👋🏻😅

    • @bloodlove93
      @bloodlove93 Před rokem +1

      sureeeeee...minus the abortion that is the pronunciation of wagner.
      forget the modern military force,look back at the musical composer, both pronounced vogner

  • @albinjohnsson2511
    @albinjohnsson2511 Před rokem +42

    It's closer to "Vaagner" than "Waggner". It's a German name and Germanic languages pronounce W as an English V.

    • @Mariusmjvr
      @Mariusmjvr Před rokem

      English is a Germanic language.

    • @sadface7457
      @sadface7457 Před rokem +2

      They cannot pronounce the name which is like a tell they haven't done their due diligence

  • @colinyuan5404
    @colinyuan5404 Před rokem +21

    Would like to see some introduction to US private companies like black water

  • @Beds58157
    @Beds58157 Před 11 měsíci +7

    Who is here 24.06.2023?

    • @heynowur9146
      @heynowur9146 Před 11 měsíci

      Me

    • @cluster4583
      @cluster4583 Před 11 měsíci +2

      Wait I didn't realize the coup started on the 24th pretty funny considering the war started in the 24th of feb

  • @Amazombe
    @Amazombe Před rokem +301

    I'd love to hear about private military forces of other countries as well!

    • @ackiid
      @ackiid Před rokem +56

      No. Russia bad mkey

    • @navaryn2938
      @navaryn2938 Před rokem +39

      nothing happened in Nisour Square in september 16 2007

    • @VMohdude-
      @VMohdude- Před rokem +16

      @@navaryn2938and Wagner has done nisour square times a hundred recently. And how many of them had Russia imprisoned? At the U.S jailed four guys responsible for nisour square.

    • @MrDaol23
      @MrDaol23 Před rokem +3

      ​@@ackiid yeah it is

    • @GriboedovAnton
      @GriboedovAnton Před rokem +14

      nowadays rasha bad, so sry, try to come back later.

  • @goblinzaku6211
    @goblinzaku6211 Před rokem +70

    Hey vox just a heads up: In “private military corps”, the corps part is pronounced as “core” not “corpse”.

    • @AntonAdelson
      @AntonAdelson Před rokem +13

      Thanks! Also, Wagner is pronounced as Vagner.

    • @m315p
      @m315p Před rokem +14

      @@AntonAdelson Wagner is pronounced as “corpse”

    • @Crudeliciousbops
      @Crudeliciousbops Před rokem

      The spelling says otherwise but ok.

    • @sb_dunk
      @sb_dunk Před rokem +2

      ​@@AntonAdelson Yeah but we don't say Moskva for Moscow or Varshava for Warsaw, some things have common English pronunciations.

  • @neenabzamro3759
    @neenabzamro3759 Před 11 měsíci +13

    funny how Wagner suddenly became the villain and first in the history of humankind as a private killing machine while Britain, US, and the rest of Europe had similar companies hundreds of years ago with the same or actually worse mission.

  • @user-nj3sn6pp4v
    @user-nj3sn6pp4v Před rokem +7

    Это они ещё про ЧВК Редан не слышали!

  • @superhero38923
    @superhero38923 Před rokem +7

    it's actually funny to hear all this from Americans and Europeans ...

  • @ThatNorma
    @ThatNorma Před rokem +64

    Many people thought it was only the US doing this lol...

    • @savagepro9060
      @savagepro9060 Před rokem +40

      glad you acknowledge the CIA does it too, and they do it even better

    • @ganymedekaramazenes9273
      @ganymedekaramazenes9273 Před rokem +8

      Blackwater

    • @ceasar8679
      @ceasar8679 Před rokem

      The US doesn't hide its military intervention like putin. Putin sends his shadow army to intervene militarily in other nations

    • @aidenshannahan2466
      @aidenshannahan2466 Před rokem

      The secretive parts of the us does do some immoral things but for the most part don't they do the morally right thing which compared to this Russian group seems like it's all very very immoral

    • @ceasar8679
      @ceasar8679 Před rokem +1

      @@aidenshannahan2466 don't forget to count the secretive deeds of Russia from the soviet times. Genocides, deportations and ethnic cleansing

  • @bartpiwowarczyk8673
    @bartpiwowarczyk8673 Před rokem +6

    Same like USA with CIA 😂😂😂

  • @Steven-bd1fv
    @Steven-bd1fv Před rokem +11

    Glory to PMC Wagner!

  • @Bloodmuffin6
    @Bloodmuffin6 Před rokem +292

    Would be great to see a comparison with US companies like Blackwater

    • @someoneniice
      @someoneniice Před rokem +37

      Conflict Intelligence Team's Ruslan Leviev often points out that Wagner group cannot be seen as a private military company in a traditional way. His argument is that PMCs in general are actually armed security forces, which often operate in conflict zones. They deliver military cargos and provide, well, guardsmen services for bases etc, but stay out of actual military action. Whereas wagners are all about combat, offensives, killings and so on. So Ruslan concludes, that wg is a mercenary organization in the worst sense of this concept.

    • @nedisahonkey
      @nedisahonkey Před rokem +73

      Exactly. Wagner is worse but Black Rock/Academi/Constellis is sickening in their own right and completely homegrown. The fact that they have to change their name every couple years to deflect criticism is clear evidence of their malfeasance.

    • @sevenoxia7199
      @sevenoxia7199 Před rokem

      @@nedisahonkey The fact that their criticised proves the point that the US is a free nation, while Russia is stuck in the war mongering past.

    • @Mcbignuts
      @Mcbignuts Před rokem

      @@someoneniice a mercenary company that doesnt fight isn't a mercenary company, it's a corrupt scam that functions as a front for greedy ppl to pocket money
      Wagner is a true mercenary company

    • @evin4875
      @evin4875 Před rokem +2

      Blackwater doesn't exist anymore

  • @Anarcath
    @Anarcath Před rokem +8

    Great reporting.

  • @user-dj1lh1ty4t
    @user-dj1lh1ty4t Před rokem +5

    I love the way when Vox talks about the annexation of Crimea, and then few minutes later draws an incorrect map of Russian Federation without part of Krasnodar Krai (4:32)

  • @SA-3270
    @SA-3270 Před rokem +7

    @Vox Could you also do a video on the issues discussed in John Perkins book 'The Confessions of an Economic Hitman" and explain how this is different from what the US is doing and has been doing for a long time?

  • @obamasglock
    @obamasglock Před rokem +358

    I'm surprised they didn't mention Wagner troops openly attacking an American base in Syria. Wagner suffered a humiliating defeat, but it shows their willingness to do so.

    • @german_novotiable
      @german_novotiable Před rokem +19

      after that, their troops made a revenge in South America

    • @GeorgeFafa
      @GeorgeFafa Před rokem +80

      sources, evidence. or shut up.

    • @felixkepler6871
      @felixkepler6871 Před rokem +157

      You're saying it like the American base somewhere is good and legitimate.

    • @AntonSobyanin
      @AntonSobyanin Před rokem

      Can you tell me what the Americans are doing in Syria? Who invited them there? Oh, that's right, nobody. Nobody wants Americans in Syria.

    • @GAFloppa
      @GAFloppa Před rokem +12

      Nobody seems to know about the incident with the Hind and the British peacekeepers in Mali too

  • @lukemaher7901
    @lukemaher7901 Před rokem +48

    This video isn’t nearly long enough.

    • @nedisahonkey
      @nedisahonkey Před rokem +4

      I agree. Sometimes Vox's focus on short foucsed videos is a detriment. Their is a lot more they could have examined both with Wagner and with the widers use of PMCs around the world.

    • @deontecoleman4582
      @deontecoleman4582 Před rokem +3

      @@nedisahonkey blackwater Is worse than wagner.

  • @Scwarzkop
    @Scwarzkop Před 11 měsíci +6

    Update: They've mutinied against the Russians

  • @n00n1n
    @n00n1n Před rokem +3

    Everybody needs to start calling Putin: Vladimir Pooping... Lol

  • @benjaminvanderlund9522
    @benjaminvanderlund9522 Před rokem +9

    USA invents Blackwater private military, Russia goes, OK we do the same. USA: hey thats not fair

  • @TrokgornyBall
    @TrokgornyBall Před rokem +78

    It's funny that Russian law also says that if a mercenary fights in the interests of Russia, then he is no longer a mercenary. This gap in Russian legislation essentially legitimizes the activities of mercenaries.

    • @marysartr
      @marysartr Před rokem +7

      It's not a gap it specifically excludes PMCs that help the state.

    • @user-ms2go7fn2d
      @user-ms2go7fn2d Před rokem

      show me it

    • @TrokgornyBall
      @TrokgornyBall Před rokem +7

      @@user-ms2go7fn2d Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Article 359 - Mercenary. Point 3.Note. A mercenary is a person who acts in order to receive material reward and is not a citizen of *a state participating in an armed conflict* or hostilities, who does not permanently reside on its territory, and who is not a person sent to perform official duties.

    • @abelrozario2073
      @abelrozario2073 Před rokem

      Same goes for America

    • @GriboedovAnton
      @GriboedovAnton Před rokem

      @@abelrozario2073 russia bad, so hush!

  • @LinkStarer
    @LinkStarer Před 11 měsíci +6

    this aged well

  • @MarioDude34500
    @MarioDude34500 Před 11 měsíci +7

    Well this video got more interesting suddenly

  • @kotIetukas
    @kotIetukas Před rokem +11

    I think attribution of 2014 invasion to wagner could be awfully inaccurate. Russia rented military bases in crimea and most likelly used own regular troops for the invasion.

    • @ultimatefriikki
      @ultimatefriikki Před rokem

      The spottings of Zoopark vehicles in Ukraine in ~2015 kinda points me to believe they were actual russian military

  • @savikone
    @savikone Před rokem +33

    3:33 it was stated that the group was deployed to my country Indonesia, but when it did deployed? I did not see one the streets nor heard one on the news, at least in my area.

    • @Eonclaire
      @Eonclaire Před rokem

      western nonsense as usual. Pretty sure US troops are all over the world instead of this Wagner group

    • @vaesnavadevaadhyatma9400
      @vaesnavadevaadhyatma9400 Před rokem +7

      Me too. I'm so confuse about the Indonesia one. Paid Soldier is illegal in Indonesia. Gun, military activity is a government only. There has been no proof of Wegner Existence in Indonesia

    • @tychay
      @tychay Před rokem +11

      Not all Wagner does is military. My guess is their presence in Indonesia is related to banking/money laundering or training paramilitary forces (Indonesia has a sizable one in the latter), but I didn't look closely. It's believed that Progozhin has close ties to the country.

    • @1Shapic1
      @1Shapic1 Před rokem

      American satellites caught them on vacation there, don't mind.

    • @antoinette5152
      @antoinette5152 Před rokem +3

      The Same for South Africa? And we know they definitely not looting here.

  • @AJ-et3vf
    @AJ-et3vf Před rokem

    Great video. Thank you

  • @timruhani9115
    @timruhani9115 Před rokem +11

    A private military appears to be a form of responsible deflection from those who orchestrate it, sort of like a legal scape goat or a drone pilot who does real life activities with zero accountability while sitting in a comfortable box.

  • @clercfred
    @clercfred Před rokem +117

    Unfortunately I think that many people living in non western countries feel like a similar video could be made about the US private military sector...

    • @_M4X15
      @_M4X15 Před rokem +18

      They have made videos about blackwater

    • @MultiNike79
      @MultiNike79 Před rokem

      USA "private" companies are very criminal. If only verbal accusations from the Anglo-Saxons can be found about Wagner, then the war crimes of American mercenaries are fully documented in photos and videos.

    • @lakshkarkera4661
      @lakshkarkera4661 Před rokem

      they wont coz prpoganda

    • @sevenoxia7199
      @sevenoxia7199 Před rokem +13

      Except the US government condemns most of these groups and never held the shear size that Wagner does today and were mostly used for logistics, not murdering whole towns.

    • @lakshkarkera4661
      @lakshkarkera4661 Před rokem +31

      @@sevenoxia7199 well that's what the government is telling you

  • @safe-keeper1042
    @safe-keeper1042 Před rokem +4

    :reads comments sorted by Newest first:
    Wow, the Russian trolls really didn't like this one.

    • @SeregaBas
      @SeregaBas Před rokem

      И об этом говорят жители страны США которая гораздо больше плохого натворила чем Россия. Чему они удивляются что соледар разрушен по их мнению если там идёт война значит там всё должно быть в целым?

  • @whitespring_
    @whitespring_ Před rokem +5

    So basically like Black Water?

  • @cittatresnati8232
    @cittatresnati8232 Před rokem +5

    Totally didn't expect to see Indonesia up there, never heard anything about Wagner group activity in my home country, wondering what is their source

  • @TolzXaarghaart
    @TolzXaarghaart Před rokem +94

    The oddly Spanish pronounciation of Soledar did catch me of guard at 0:05

    • @danilshchukin1849
      @danilshchukin1849 Před rokem +43

      It's a Russian/Ukranian pronunciation, not the Spanish one, they just sound similar cause of the R sound which is kinda the same for both of them.

    • @hrsmp
      @hrsmp Před rokem +16

      It's correct pronounciation.

    • @MaisonPreston
      @MaisonPreston Před rokem +1

      yeah i didn't notice at first but now i feel that Spanish spin to it with a long r sound 😁

    • @sadyakubovich
      @sadyakubovich Před rokem +6

      @@danilshchukin1849 the soft "D" makes it sound spanish though

    • @worldoftancraft
      @worldoftancraft Před rokem +1

      @@danilshchukin1849 the famous Ukraîna or Rossiâ's month "ogust" - not something like "avgust".

  • @melissasalasblair5273
    @melissasalasblair5273 Před 11 měsíci

    Thanks for the segment. 2:30 sums it up lol

  • @MistRVertexZ
    @MistRVertexZ Před rokem +4

    Media when blackwater: :-)
    media when wagner: >:(

  • @elizabethdavis1696
    @elizabethdavis1696 Před rokem +122

    Please do a video on the Ohio train derailment!

    • @marsel8718
      @marsel8718 Před rokem +39

      You will never see this, democracy ✌🏻

    • @biswaranjanpanigrahy98
      @biswaranjanpanigrahy98 Před rokem +3

      As usual things in usa

    • @thl205
      @thl205 Před rokem +3

      Type it into your CZcams search bar.

    • @haikalhadzik7744
      @haikalhadzik7744 Před rokem +3

      Nothing happened in Ohio, china tianmen playbook.

    • @Kay-td2fc
      @Kay-td2fc Před rokem +2

      what train... Oh look, is that a UFO in the sky

  • @mangeshadbale4337
    @mangeshadbale4337 Před rokem +58

    I think such groups are also present in US .and they where active in Afghanistan.

    • @abrahambanat5990
      @abrahambanat5990 Před rokem +25

      Yup, Blackwater, Academi, and the other PMCs in America

    • @DogeickBateman
      @DogeickBateman Před rokem +9

      @@abrahambanat5990 Academi is Blackwater, they took a rebranding after their ah not so cashmoney actions in Iraq

    • @faissal8997
      @faissal8997 Před rokem +21

      America is exceptional as usual. Americans call them "private military contractors", but in Russia's case they call them mercenaries.

    • @DogeickBateman
      @DogeickBateman Před rokem +1

      @@faissal8997 Blah blah america this america that the term was invented by Brits in the late 1980s

    • @faissal8997
      @faissal8997 Před rokem +9

      @@DogeickBateman who is talking about the term?

  • @fernandoferreira5156
    @fernandoferreira5156 Před rokem +7

    US: "Russian army is bad"
    also us: "Wagner group is scary"

    • @WWhiteRunGuard
      @WWhiteRunGuard Před rokem +1

      The Wagner PMCs have better equipment, but tougher rules. Deserted or did not go on the attack - execution with a sledgehammer.

    • @Targaryennn
      @Targaryennn Před rokem

      US Army is good then?

  • @chandima94
    @chandima94 Před 11 měsíci +5

    This video bout to blow up

  • @xavierrenger
    @xavierrenger Před rokem +15

    So you're telling me that the guy from the Kremlin's cafeteria is now running military cov-ops in Ukraine? 💀💀

  • @paulroque
    @paulroque Před rokem +4

    Also feature US and French private armies 💀🥴

  • @aleksamiskovic9931
    @aleksamiskovic9931 Před rokem +3

    A quick question.What is the difference between this and what America is doing for over 60 years?

  • @ianmeaker7587
    @ianmeaker7587 Před rokem +1

    Hi, what’s the source relating to Wagner operating in South Africa (as indicated on the map at 3m33seconds)? Thanks

  • @the_officials38
    @the_officials38 Před rokem +18

    I was wondering if Indonesia was also influenced by Wagner, by your map it did

    • @raifvr1896
      @raifvr1896 Před rokem +7

      yeah me too, i'm searching on internet and found nothing about Wagner group in Indonesia (also reading one of the reference that provided by VOX but found nothing about Wagner operating in Indonesia)

    • @the_officials38
      @the_officials38 Před rokem

      @@raifvr1896 What's scary is that 2011 is the first On foot Wagner, thats still SBY era, 2014+ is Jokowi, idk what they are doing here

    • @unsrescyldas9745
      @unsrescyldas9745 Před rokem +1

      @@the_officials38 Advisory board? how to fight against ISIS and the likes.

  • @chriswong8659
    @chriswong8659 Před rokem +8

    Really good! More please

  • @SlashnKashmir
    @SlashnKashmir Před 11 měsíci +4

    I am not sure whether this video aged well

  • @dalexandus
    @dalexandus Před rokem

    Love you're videos

  • @lilydemelo2634
    @lilydemelo2634 Před rokem +30

    I just went to read the Wiki page(maybe not the best source) and their map of Wagner activities is different from yours. South Africa isn't included on the Wiki's map(I even checked that lady's research paper and there is nothing about South Africa there as well). Where can I read about South Africa's activities with Wagner? I can't find articles about it.

    • @deontecoleman4582
      @deontecoleman4582 Před rokem

      Wagner is not in south Africa vox is lying they're making it up.

    • @stepanfedorov561
      @stepanfedorov561 Před rokem +1

      Oops

    • @abcddef2112
      @abcddef2112 Před rokem +9

      Yeah pretty sketchy source by vox, Indonesia mentioned too but no specifics on what they do. No proof they exist as well.

    • @vuyanimaster2212
      @vuyanimaster2212 Před rokem +1

      Lily de Melo,there is no Wagner musicians in South Africa,this is a blatant lie from Ms Reporter!

  • @deproissant
    @deproissant Před rokem +27

    Wait, where in Indonesia are they? Russia are very much revered by general Indonesians who pay the tiniest bit of attention to global politics, but I'm not sure these same people would look at them fondly if they have private militias in their own backyard.

  • @TeodorLojewski
    @TeodorLojewski Před 11 měsíci +2

    The last sentence aged like wine.

  • @motivationandtravelchannel4575
    @motivationandtravelchannel4575 Před 9 měsíci +4

    Russia has Wagner Group and America has CIA and Delta Force!

    • @evan106.
      @evan106. Před 9 měsíci +1

      and blackwater!

    • @DY-ij3ch
      @DY-ij3ch Před 9 měsíci

      Russian has Alfa Group and GRU

    • @brrrrrtenjoyer
      @brrrrrtenjoyer Před 9 měsíci +1

      Delta Force aren't mercenaries. Blackwater are.

    • @marko_6500
      @marko_6500 Před 9 měsíci

      and NATO

  • @thisisfrenchtouch
    @thisisfrenchtouch Před rokem +6

    How do you go from Culinary Chef to Military Chief? I can't even get slightly different jobs when I try and apply to them

    • @stepanfedorov561
      @stepanfedorov561 Před rokem +4

      So you live in a good and stable time. In Russia, in the literal sense, in the 1990s, people became billionaires who completed 5 classes of education and could only read in syllables. If you had a little more gray matter than a chicken, then you could become a millionaire in Russia. In the 1990s, Russia didn't have to pay taxes for anything. There were no taxes even on vodka.. And He is not only a chef, but a ruthless capitalist willing to do anything for money, who also owns a billion-dollar construction business. He also spends up to $100 million a month on the activities of PMCs. And back in the 1980s, when he was no more than 20 years old, he was engaged in robbery, for which he served time in prison.

    • @user-vz2fj4wq7d
      @user-vz2fj4wq7d Před rokem

      Because all of staff in Kremlin is one way or another linked to KGB, there aren't just regular cooks, cleaners and so on in there. Everyone is linked together and assumably very well trained so that Putin personally knows what's going on among elites

  • @rharibsalaheddine8772
    @rharibsalaheddine8772 Před rokem +7

    In Mali, they have been linked to the assassination of two Moroccan truck drivers who were driving a commercial convoy.(which means morocco doesn't have any relation with the Wagner group however I'm not sure). but,Morocco and Russia have a long history of defense cooperation, having signed a cooperation agreement during King Mohammed VI's visit in 2018. The two countries have also signed a 10-year military cooperation agreement in 2020.

  • @deadlyninja6214
    @deadlyninja6214 Před rokem +48

    Fun fact: Wagner group has a Military base in my home country (Argentina) due to Argentina and Russias relationship.

    • @markok0610
      @markok0610 Před rokem +1

      Donde? Nombre?

    • @user-qm5kl9vf4l
      @user-qm5kl9vf4l Před rokem +5

      good.

    • @deadlyninja6214
      @deadlyninja6214 Před rokem +1

      @@markok0610 El gobierno se clasificó al respecto ya que no quieren ser conocidos por posibles agentes de la CIA.

    • @zg64
      @zg64 Před rokem +2

      Ronaldo better

    • @SportZFan4L1fe
      @SportZFan4L1fe Před rokem

      Argentina is about to join BRICS so that its economy won't collapse every ten years.

  • @PeaceMastah
    @PeaceMastah Před rokem

    What a weirdly abrupt ending to this video. Is there a part 2?

  • @CityTrekker250
    @CityTrekker250 Před rokem +4

    Do a similar video on Blackwater, Northrop and more

  • @BaronAnon
    @BaronAnon Před rokem +86

    Wagner also isn't the only private military group in Russia, although the most notorious at the moment.

    • @deontecoleman4582
      @deontecoleman4582 Před rokem +14

      What about blackwater haven't they committed war crimes also?

    • @sugandesenuds6663
      @sugandesenuds6663 Před rokem +26

      @@deontecoleman4582 what does blackwater have to do with anything?

    • @user-ge6eh3fg2b
      @user-ge6eh3fg2b Před rokem +33

      @@deontecoleman4582 and what about your whatabout, whataboutist. Noone even mentioned Blackwater or am i blind?

    • @ericisdead95
      @ericisdead95 Před rokem +13

      Lol why are you guys suddenly so defensive when someone mentions another pmc group?? Lol 😂

    • @code6499
      @code6499 Před rokem +16

      @@ericisdead95 not really defensive, it just doesn't have any correlation to the original comment.

  • @ado4224
    @ado4224 Před rokem

    Great video, the first 10seconds were too surfrace level though

  • @insomina3970
    @insomina3970 Před rokem +2

    i'm from egypt, i never saw those wagner on my country before !

  • @timtoe40
    @timtoe40 Před rokem +8

    A Fallujah incident would be really awful. I wonder if American Blackwater 2023 companies have also been trickling into Ukraine.

  • @DanielBudiP-25-12-1991
    @DanielBudiP-25-12-1991 Před rokem +6

    for indonesia activity of wargner group can vox giving any sources to public its very interesting

    • @ouzydork7071
      @ouzydork7071 Před rokem +1

      I think there's an explanation about sudden increase of Russian foreigners in Bali.

  • @ennuied
    @ennuied Před rokem +2

    So how is PMC Wagner Group different from Blackwater/Constellis ?

  • @prostokeereell1286
    @prostokeereell1286 Před rokem +1

    How is them mining recources there illegal if it was a part of the agreement between countries authorities?

  • @graywolfeast
    @graywolfeast Před rokem +7

    3:25 As an Indonesian, i still confused about the map show what was they doing in my country?, Can someone tell / elaborate about this?
    (Jujur gw bingung mereka bisa ada di Indo)

    • @Mesazane
      @Mesazane Před rokem

      Gw juga bingung wkwkwk

  • @EmilIrgi18
    @EmilIrgi18 Před rokem +40

    Can I have a source on Wagner Group's presence in Indonesia? I'm pretty surprised that they are/were here.

    • @Tab1300
      @Tab1300 Před rokem +7

      All I can find is an FBI report that says wagner has interests in the region, if I would have a guess it's to train militants or possibly recruitment.

    • @grimsobad8545
      @grimsobad8545 Před rokem +4

      @@Tab1300 dude, train militants? 😂 Indonesia seems to be a very stable developing country

    • @EmilIrgi18
      @EmilIrgi18 Před rokem +1

      @@Tab1300 Any links to the source?

    • @kentershackle1329
      @kentershackle1329 Před rokem +2

      @@Tab1300
      Yup, typical smearing...
      Indonesia military uses lots of ex Soviets / Russian weapons..
      These wagners are technical support staff..

    • @louiskuypers550
      @louiskuypers550 Před rokem +3

      @@grimsobad8545 How about Papua huh? And the growing threat of terrorism?

  • @harithhumam4372
    @harithhumam4372 Před rokem +3

    Basically same as US troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and many more

  • @bepatient7438
    @bepatient7438 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Sometimes when you have long awaiting appointment in government hospitals, you need to seek for second opinion in private hospitals 😊

  • @gfygber9639
    @gfygber9639 Před rokem +44

    It's so sad everyone, even Mercenaries are exploiting African resources for their own good, resources that belong to the people but they are incapable of using and benefiting from them.