It is no longer a secret: became known, how many fighters in PMC “Wagner”

Close to the authorities Online Newspaper “Sight” publishedunexpected material with reference to an article in republic.ru: “Private military company Wagner” has more than 3,6 thousand. human, and their content is the amount of costs 17,4 billion rubles.

is approved, that representatives of the Russian PMC appeared for the first time in Syria 2013 year - fighters scored Company “Slavic housing” for the protection of the pipeline and warehouse in eastern Syria, Deir ez-Zor. However, they were forced to support the rebels in Homs province, but they were ambushed by militants “an Islamic state” (It is forbidden in the Russian terrorist organization, – prim.red.) and defeated. The leaders of Russia “Slavic housing” Yevgeny Sidorov Vadim Gusev were convicted under article “mercenary” in the colony three years, reports Republic.

spring 2014 , the fighters “Wagner PMCs”, He notes portal, They were seen in the Crimea, then - in the Donbass. They allegedly stationed in a remote area of ​​the Krasnodar Territory Molkino, where also deployed 10th separate special forces brigade of the Main Department of the Ministry of Defense General Staff.

Directs PMC Dmitri Utkin; “Wagner” - his call. The second person in the “Wagner group”, allegedly, Andrew is Troshev, which is also known as the chairman “League veterans of military conflicts”. known, he previously served in the Airborne, He participated in combat operations in Afghanistan and Chechnya. After his discharge from the army he served in OMON and SOBR. He was awarded two Orders of Red Star and two Orders of Courage”.

About “Slavic housing” (“Slavonic Corps Limited”) known, that the PMC has been registered in 2013 in Hong Kong. The company published the announcement of the hiring contract for the protection of pipelines and industrial facilities in Syria, offering salary 5000 dollars. Ad caught the attention of former professional soldiers from the CIS countries, many of whom fought in the early 1990s in the south of conflicts “arc” disintegrated USSR.

In Syria “Slavic housing” I arrived back in 2013 year – Even before the Ukrainian Maidan. By the time he, according to some, there were slightly more 250 human. Corps guarding the oil fields in the same ill-fated province of Deir ez-Zor. heavy armament “contractors” We received from the Syrian government. but, after arriving in the Russian participants “Slavic housing” They were arrested. In October 2014 the court sentenced the leaders of the company Vadim Gusev and Yevgeny Sidorov, to three years in prison each.

“These Russians chose their way for a long time, not coordinated with the State, – He said in a radio broadcast “echo of Moscow” its chief editor Alexei Venediktov. – Also in 2013 year, before Syria to Ukraine was a private military company Russian, which is registered in Hong Kong - a Russian company in Hong Kong, entitled “Slavic housing”. She stood at the head of the former secret services, who hired people - well,, for what? - protection, diversion - on the planet. In particular, this “Slavic housing”, as far as I know, I worked with the President of South Sudan (actually, likely, Sudan,– prim.red.), which is now under sanctions…

AT 2013 year “Slavic housing” was rejected - on the same oil fields, Now it is the Deir al-Zor, There were six wounded soldiers, All were evacuated to Moscow. In this case, as far as I know, ordinary fighter - maybe, not ordinary, there was just Dmitri Utkin, which later became known as “Wagner”. I.e, his fights in Syria began before, Putin has announced we in Syria, – as part of the PMC, pure earning money. The head of the operation, Vladimir Gusev and Yevgeny Sidorov, on arrival in Russia, Domodedovo, They were arrested by the FSB…

Then the Russian government has realized the benefits of these guys… They fought in the Donbas is already supported by the state, FSB has no one there did not arrest, then in Syria. And, they consisted and consist not only of Russian citizens, – I write about it in detail our colleagues from “Fontanka”, I would recommend reading their investigation, but there are a significant number of men are residents of Donetsk and Lugansk, which came…

These people then come here with a gun, and they have nothing to do, roughly speaking. And they are dangerous, properly, to order in Russia. In Russia still belongs to the state the right to violence… Where do these people?.. During the Hundred Years War in France, formed a huge number of groups of looters, who were still, – English, French people, Normans, Spanish. And then King Charles V entrusted his best generals to hire them, collect them and take away to Spain. Where they all died”…

Estonian site err.ee wrote about the service fighters “Wagner” also in 2016 year: “Oleg served in Syria in the military unit, which on paper does not officially exist, but which was known as “Wagner Group” or “musicians”, He fought on the side of the Syrian pro-government forces and formed of experienced fighters on the order of the RF Ministry of Defense. Oleg took part in the battles for the liberation of Palmyra. His salary is 4500 Euros per month plus bonuses…

Officially a part of the Russian contingent of soldiers there, who perform “dirty work” – of people “Wagner group”. Such a unit or a private military company is not formally exist. But it is on paper. In reality, however, the Russians had time to do some fighting in different parts of Syria. the question, why Oleg went to Syria, he answers: “I was an employee, but in this war I do not care. I like this job, if it did not like, I have not worked there…

“Wagner Group” - no ordinary private military company. This is a miniature army. “We had a full set of: mortars, gaubitsы, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers”, - explains Oleg…

In Syria “Wagner Group” I got on the aircraft. And these were not the liners “Aeroflot”, smiling, says Oleg. Fighters carried on a transport aircraft of the 76th Airborne Division, which is deployed in the Pskov region… technique, including artillery and tanks, threw the sea with the help of the so-called “Syrian Express” - the ships of the Russian Navy from Novorossiysk in Tartous…

Usually, people Wagner - experienced fighters, past few conflicts. And although the announcement of the recruitment in the newspapers do not see, group had not experienced problems with staff recruitment.

Oleg admits, that went to Wagner is not the first time - do not trust: “practically, get an acquaintance and only. As such, there is a set of free. When dialing spend a couple of tests: on alcohol and drug use. Further physical tests. Actually, no exams”.

Among the many vagnerovtsev, who fought in the Donbass on the side of separatists. They are further tested on a polygraph. Can even ask, if they are not agents of the FSB - the security services do not favor in Wagner. The group has its own security department, who fights with leaks of information. Find photos Russian condottieri on the network - a great success. This offense, which carries serious penalties for the guilty…

A kind of insurance system: Wound around 300 000 rubles and coating of high-quality treatment in hospitals expenses. For the deaths - five million rubles family. Although legally a contract with a group of Wagner - a tiny piece of paper, Oleg confirms: paid every cent and more. But not talking about the complete safety.

– I.e, you at least some protection have?

– From what?

– from the state.

– from the state, I think, no”.

“Contract length - from three to six months, – the website onpress.info. The contract is signed on the basis of PMCs in Molkino. Future fighter reads multi-page document, signed, and he remains in the company's office. It is strictly forbidden to communicate with the media, so they appear as Sergei Ts in this collective interview, Gennady F. Stepan M…

Medkomyssyya bыla, but rather a visual selection: hands and feet on the ground - and more, - says Sergey. - Took all in a row, because PMCs carried the heavy losses Syria. More needed to run 3 km, wrung out 40-50 times (it was ranked as the “OK” and “excellent”). Many of these standards is not passed, but it has been credited. Much more serious was considered a lie detector test. Polygraph passes each candidate. for example, of eight people in a group, which it was Gennady, successfully passed a lie detector only two, including himself. On what should be cut others, what kind of lies searched psychologists PMCs, Gennady still is not. But, in his opinion, This selection is not exactly concerned the criminal record of candidates…

Rostov-on-Don International Airport flew 25 April 2017-th, usual charter flight. Visa in the passport did not put, Only border guards stamped a mark on departure (and on his return - one more note on arrival). Syrian Border Service in the documents do not appear. just “Boinge” flew one hundred and fifty soldiers PMCs, a day or two in the same manner arrived second half “Brigade”.

In Damascus flying in civilian clothes, dressed already on the Syrian base, that is, among the desert. Military uniforms carried with them, each dressed to your taste. It is considered to be the most convenient form of desert SAS British Special Forces, best for durability and color, then there is a form of American special forces. So that meant Russian soldiers were no different from the Anglo-Saxon unit of commandos. Syrian form, in the unanimous opinion of the interlocutors, very poor quality…

Brigade commander retired employees of special forces (no human resources officer), army practically no. - For example, the commander of our brigade, - says Gennady, - I asked the head of the Syrian and the gift offered several tanks, since for them the Arabs had no crews…

For the six months trip casualties totaled about one brigade 40 dead (“two hundredth”) and about 100 wounded (“three hundred”). Another brigade More “lucky”: their losses amounted to about 20 killed and 70 wounded. And in the third team in just the first two weeks we lost about 50 dead. Most died during the blockade of Deir ez-Zor. In this way, lost a tenth of the personnel, fifth part - is wounded…

- The loss would have been much less, - says Sergey, - if the supply of PMC group was not as APB, simply aho-of-ovym. Razbytыe bronevyky, three days lost five trucks, not on what was even transported personnel. And the loss of that high ... and all - stood! Collapse. Nobody going nowhere, God forbid, take out the wounded. And experience tells, that it's time to repot soldiers on armored vehicles, not designed for more than a 10 human. Although a year ago it was a decent equipment - and armament, and technology.

- It's just a beautiful TV picture: desert rod tanks in a row, for nimi idut BMP, it`s over them vertolёtы, - says Stepan. - In fact, technology has been very little. Our “armada” moved part of the foot, and some - on the KamAZ “Uralakh”. If ATGM hits the truck, the loss, of course, great…

- Despite the fact that many PMCs soldiers served in the army and special forces, not be wrong, when I say, what 90% do not understand, where they were going, - says Sergey. - The desire to earn money otshibaet brain completely. therefore, got in nastoyaschuyu peredryahu, they say, that we did not come here to die, and earn. these are called “five-hundredth”, ie deserters and objectors. They were immediately sent to the rigging team, that is, movers shells, etc..

- And for those living, who came to Syria, mostly losers, - says Gennady. - Usually, ex-cops, prisoners and military. About 40% personnel have stayed for serious crimes - murder, grapples and T. P. Fighters PMCs even each other so welcome: “Hi, Losers!” noticeably, many months before the trip, or even years, they have booze, no drying out. Syria has banned drinking, head a little enlightened, give pledge to engage the rest of your life. Returned to Russia with a million in his pocket and break into such a peak, They creep up on a month basis with no pants…

- I have an ambivalent attitude towards these private military companies, - added Stepan. - One side, deceive, and it's a shame. On the other, if you look at the situation as if from the outside, PMC withdraws from civilian life unwanted items (literally and fighter spoke about his comrades, and therefore, and himself. - A.Č.)”.

However, not all the unflattering reviews of the true fighters Wagner. Among them there are a lot of diehard fighters “world behind the scenes”, international terrorism, from which they. protect Russia on the distant approaches.