Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed, that found “Fontanka” at a reception in honor of the Heroes of the Fatherland in the Kremlin's St. George Hall of the man - a retired lieutenant colonel Dmitry Utkin, better known by the call sign Wagner, He writes the journalist said the St. Petersburg edition of Dmitry Korotkov.
even in the autumn 2015 of the year “Fontanka” I wrote about “mysterious PMC”, which is actually a private military company is not. wrote edition, which train fighters Wagner, how much they are paying and what tasks in the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republic they perform. While the time was the transfer of activity from Wagner of New Russia to Syria, where Wagner's division fought on the side of Bashar al-Assad, acting as scouts, air controllers and saboteurs, and by Palmyra - and as the assault teams on the direction of the main attack.
spring 2016 year edition wrote, that fighters “Wagner PMCs”, apparently unrelated to any formal power structure of the Russian Federation, for his military work received combat medals, He presented the award documents, signed by President Vladimir Putin. And she named the commander's name: Dmitri Utkin, lieutenant colonel of the Russian army.
9 December 2016 , Dmitri Utkin was found on the official shooting frames presidential reception in honor of the Heroes of the Fatherland. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on the question of journalists, it is not up to date, It was or was not at the reception Utkin, it is necessary to specify. On checking it took two days. Peskov kept his word. His words leads TASS.
“Dmitri Utkin was indeed, Cavalier Courage awards, it was really from the Novgorod region”, - said the representative of the Kremlin journalists. Peskov said, that Utkin was invited to the Kremlin, “because the invited Heroes of Russia and gentlemen of Courage awards”.
Peskov could not answer the question of whether, “is there any fighters in Syria Utkin”. “We do not know, whether he has fighters, whether they are in Syria and if they have some kind of status, - Peskov said. - The men are at the Ministry of Defense”, - he said.
Journalists asked Peskov, for which he received the corresponding award Utkin. “That I can not say. For courage usually give”, - said the spokesman.
Really, protocol on shooting Dmitry Utkin sitting sideways to the camera, and his jacket is not visible characteristic strips of Hero and Star, but noticeable pads, the color suitable for the Order of Courage. It turns out, that Utkin - exclusive Cavalier of the Order.
According to some reports, Utkin today four of the Order of Courage. How many awards he has received in the period of service in the Armed Forces, and how much, are in stock, as well as for what services, “Fontanka” unknown.
known, that Dmitri Utkin 46 years. He is a professional soldier. For several years he served in the 2nd brigade of Special Forces General Staff Main Intelligence, He commanded stationed in Pechory Pskov region 700-m individual detachment of special forces. Repeatedly went on business trips to the North Caucasus, He participated in the fighting. He left in reserve at the beginning of 2013 year as a lieutenant colonel. He worked in the private military company Moran Security Group, guarded by pirates sea vessels. In the autumn 2013 , together with “Slavic housing” I was in Syria, but the combat mission was short and not very successful.
In the spring 2014 year - factional commanders, became known as “Wagner PMCs”. The division began to operate in the Crimea, then - in the Donbass, mainly in the Luhansk People's Republic, then - in Syria.
Wagner fighters characterize her controversial commander. Someone accuses him of using professionalov-“contractors” as usual shock infantry. Someone threatened “tear” for father-commander.
The publication notes, without comment from the Kremlin officialdom was another invitation to the reception of Heroes - Police retired colonel Andrei Troshev, who also hit the frame. He was a military officer, held Afghanistan and Chechnya, on his chest - two Orders of Red Star, two Orders of Courage. And the Gold Star of the Hero of Russia. According to information “Fontanka”, Troshev - one of the closest collaborators of Wagner, which was awarded the title of Hero of the part in the storming of the Syrian Palmyra spring 2016 of the year. By this time the officer Troshev for several years was the retired.
