Wagner mercenary group to be designated ‘transnational criminal organization’, says US
Guardian, 21 Jan 2023
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby has announced that the US will designate the Russian military contractor Wagner a ‘transnational criminal organization’. Addressing reporters on Friday, Kirby said: ‘The Department of Treasury will be designating Wagner as a significant transnational criminal organization under executive order 13581, as amended.’ He added that, ‘in coordination with this designation we will also impose additional sanctions next week against Wagner and its support network across multiple continents.’
Kirby also expressed concern about Wagner’s growing role in Ukraine, where the organization has been active in recent fighting around Bakhmut. He said the US believes Wagner has close to 50,000 personnel fighting in Ukraine, of which 10,000 are contractors and some 40,000 are convicts
US to designate Russia’s Wagner Group as ‘transnational criminal organization’
Kirby also expressed concern about Wagner’s growing role in Ukraine, where the organization has been active in recent fighting around Bakhmut. He said the US believes Wagner has close to 50,000 personnel fighting in Ukraine, of which 10,000 are contractors and some 40,000 are convicts
US to designate Russia’s Wagner Group as ‘transnational criminal organization’
