FT: Russia is expanding its hybrid warfare in Europe through Wagner Group mercenaries

According to Western intelligence services, recruiters and propagandists linked to Russia's Wagner Group have become an important tool for the Kremlin in sabotaging Europe. After the failed rebellion in 2023 and the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner's future seemed uncertain, but his networks appear to have found a new use, according to the Financial Times.

The Russian military intelligence service GRU is allegedly recruiting economically vulnerable Europeans through former Wagner operatives to carry out arson attacks and other provocations on NATO territory in exchange for money.

This is Moscow's response to the weakening of its own espionage network following the expulsion of diplomats from EU countries. Wagner offers the advantage of a certain "deniability" – there are intermediaries between the client and the perpetrator.

An example is the case of a 21-year-old Briton who set fire to a warehouse in London and was sentenced to 23 years in prison. European services claim that most attacks have been thwarted so far.

(mja)