I think that description would be better applied to the regular Russian army than to Wagner (the mercenaries you refer to) which is a relatively well organised and professional outfit. Wagner have been very useful in the Central African Republic, where they have helped defend the capital Bangui from the various rebel groups and insurgents trying to take over the country.
It's worth noting from the item at 11.52 am that the events of the weekend got a lot of coverage in the Russian media. While it's true that some journalists may have fallen foul of Putin, there is undeniably much greater freedom afforded to the media in Russia nowadays than there ever was in the Communist era.
But aren't many of the members of the Wagner group people who are actually convicted criminals (including rapists and murderers) - they were let out of prison and 'forgiven' their sentences if they'd do 6 months fighting for Wagner? That's certainly what's been said.
In my opinion, over the past 10 years, Putin has made life so difficult for independent media that in Gorbachev's time, before the fall of the Iron Curtain, these measures would have been considered hell. The fact is that the current dictator did everything smoothly, and all media have long since become digital.
I'm not sure about Wagner, but I am certain that the regular army DID benefit from criminals given early release from prison. That happened quite early on in the war (in 2022) while Wagner's involvement is much more recent. I think Wagner had to move some of their men who were tied up in Africa.
‘Useful’ for their wallets, certainly. Doubt anyone else is doing cartwheels.
What does SMHS stand for? I've just googled it but the nearest matches I could find were schools and hospitals in the UK!
But isn’t the president of Belarus a big friend of Putin
South Midlands Hit Squad
Bazzer! Don't you know the first rule of fight club?
