 The Wagner mercenary group is still hiring new fighters despite claims from his boss that they've paused recruiting indefinitely, according to a report. On Monday, the group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin addressed weeks of speculation over his next move in the wake of his failed mutiny by stating that most of his fighters are now 'on holiday'. He said Wagner would be focusing on training in Belarus and existing contracts in Africa, adding: 'As long as we do not experience a shortage in personnel, we do not plan to carry out a new recruitment.' The statement suggested there was no prospect of a return to Ukraine for the group. But it came directly in the wake of an announcement by Russia's parliament that new laws would be written allowing for private military companies to 'ensure public safety' and protect Russia's borders. The move paves the way for politicians to 'officially' oversee the dozens of mercenary groups that have previously been allowed to operate in Russia if they keep to the shadows. Prigozhin's statement also included vague comments about 'next tasks' and future missions to be 'carried out in the name of the greatness of Russia'. The 62-year-old oligarch has reportedly clung onto lucrative catering contracts with Putin's government (Picture: East2West) According to independent Russian investigative journalists from Important Stories,guns-for-hire can still join Wagner from parts of Russia. A source described as a former mercenary who fought for Wagner in Africa and Ukraine claimed recruitment has resumed in the cities of Omsk and Novosibirsk, and that recruits can still be sent to Ukraine. Pretending to be a 'volunteer', a correspondent from Important Stories contacted the recruiters – one of whom was working through a sports club. Recruiters in Omsk said there was 'nothing' available due to Wagner being 'banned' in Russia, but){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
The Wagner mercenary group is still hiring new fighters despite claims from his boss that they’ve paused recruiting indefinitely, according to a report.
On Monday, the group’s chief Yevgeny Prigozhin addressed weeks of speculation over his next move in the wake of his failed mutiny by stating that most of his fighters are now ‘on holiday’.
He said Wagner would be focusing on training in Belarus and existing contracts in Africa, adding: ‘As long as we do not experience a shortage in personnel, we do not plan to carry out a new recruitment.’
The statement suggested there was no prospect of a return to Ukraine for the group.