Ukraine is united because it is strong. Ukraine is strong because it is united – Zelenskyy
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Jan 22, 2023 7:30 a.m. EST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZX1HJ_jEqU
ARTICLES
1. Prigozhin began series of information operations to oppose himself to Russian authorities, - ISW
News Censor.NET
22.01.23 08:01
https://censor.net/en/news/3394874
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the “Wagner” PMC, began a series of information operations aimed at portraying himself as a hero of Russia in a “crusade” against the petty and corrupt Russian government.
On January 21, Prigozhin’s personal press service distributed a letter to the family of the fallen fighter of the Wagner PKK, in which “indifferent” local officials who did not help with their son’s funeral opposed Prigozhin, who listens to their appeals. Prigozhin is mentioned in the letter as “the only person who cares about the fate of the defender of the Russian Federation and his family.”
Prigozhin also sharply criticized the officials of the Sverdlovsk region, apparently showing solidarity with the “common man”. In ISW’s view, Prigozhin falsely portrays himself and the PMC as actors who will continue their moral actions, despite likely prosecutions.
2. Number of PMC “Wagner” on Russian-Ukrainian front reaches 50 thousand people, - British intelligence
News Censor.NET War in Ukraine
20.01.23 09:29
https://censor.net/en/news/3394509/number_of_pmc_wagner_on_russianukrainian_front_reaches_50_thousand_people_british_intelligence
PVK “Wagner” became a key component of the Russian campaign. Its number in Ukraine is, most likely, 50 thousand fighters.
According to the State Register of the Russian Federation, on December 27, 2022, the “Wagner” paramilitary group was officially registered as a legal entity. The declared main activity is “consulting in the field of management”; military service is not mentioned.
It is not yet clear to what extent the “PMC Wagner Center” structure will be used to manage Wagner’s paramilitary activities, the British intelligence agency said.
After all, private military companies remain illegal in Russia. Despite the long debate about reforming legislation.
The intelligence added that the owner of PMC Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, probably partially financed the organization through state contracts concluded by his other companies
“The registration continues the surprisingly rapid development of the public profile of the traditionally opaque group. Prigozhin confessed on the basis of “Wagner” only in September 2022; in October 2022, he opened a glossy headquarters in St. Petersburg,” the message emphasizes.
According to British intelligence, “Wagner” includes 50,000 people in Ukraine and the group “became a key component of the Ukrainian campaign.”
“The registration is probably aimed at maximizing Prigozhin’s commercial benefit and further legitimizing the increasingly well-known organization,” the British Ministry of Defense notes.