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Cuba issues conflicting statements on use of its citizens in Ukraine war

The silhouette of the city is seen through a Cuban flag during a protest against the US economic embargo in Cuba, in Madrid, Spain, on 26th July, 2021

Reuters Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on Thursday his country rejects the participation of its citizens as mercenaries in war, contradicting a statement by Cuba’s ambassador in Moscow hours earlier saying his government did not oppose the legal participation of its citizens in Russia´s war in Ukraine. The apparently conflicting statements follow Cuban state-run […]

Russia’s Wagner threatens to leave Bakhmut, Ukraine says mercenaries reinforcing

Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin makes a statement as he stand next to Wagner fighters in an undisclosed location in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in this still image taken from video released on 5th May, 2023.

Reuters Russia’s main mercenary group announced plans on Friday to withdraw from the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, but Ukraine said the fighters were reinforcing positions to try to seize it before Russia marks World War II Victory Day next week. Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said his men had been starved of ammunition and […]

Western countries pile pressure on Mali over Wagner Group role

An advertising screen, which promotes to join Wagner private mercenary group, is on display on the facade of a building in Moscow, Russia, on 27th March, 2023.

Geneva, Switzerland Reuters Western countries on Tuesday raised concerns over Russian private military contractor Wagner Group’s activities in Mali, including allegations of its role in the killings of civilians, at a UN human rights meeting in Geneva. The United States, Canada, Great Britain and Ukraine were among countries that raised the alleged role of Wagner […]

Analysis – Russian mercenary boss courts Putin with Ukrainian battlefield success

Russia Yevgeny Prigozhin and Vladimir Putin

London, UK Reuters In the twilight of the Soviet Union, Yevgeny Prigozhin was languishing in prison for theft. Now as the founder of Russia’s most powerful mercenary group, he is vying for Vladimir Putin’s favour by claiming a rare battlefield win in Ukraine. His aim is to leverage the success that Wagner Group, his mercenary […]

Mercenaries undermining the rule of law and exploiting terrorism, says UN Secretary General

Mercenaries are undermining the rule of law and “exploiting” transnational organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the UN Security Council on Monday. Speaking at a meeting convened by Equatorial Guinea, which holds the council’s presidency for a month, Guterres said the presence of mercenaries and other foreign fighters “worsens conflict […]