The United States called the Russian mercenary group Wagner a “transnational criminal organization” and promised on Friday to impose additional sanctions.
Wagner “is a criminal organization that continues to commit massive atrocities and human rights violations,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said, adding that the Biden administration will impose economic sanctions on the organization and its “support network” next week.
“These actions recognize the transcontinental threat that Wagner poses, including in connection with the ongoing serious criminal activity,” Kirby said.
“Our message to any company considering supporting Wagner is this: Wagner is a criminal organization that commits widespread atrocities and human rights violations,” he added.
The US estimates that Wagner has about 50,000 troops deployed in Ukraine to support Russia’s military efforts. The firm has played a key role in Russia’s recent successes in the Donbass and has been involved in conflicts around the world, including in Libya, the Central African Republic and Mali.
On Thursday, the group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said his mercenaries had “completely taken control” of Kleshcheyevka, a key suburb of the city of Bakhmut through which Ukrainian troops received weapons and military equipment.
Prigozhin claimed that “fierce fighting” continued around Kleshcheevka, with Ukrainians “clinging to every meter of ground.”
“Contrary to different opinions that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Armed Forces of Ukraine) are fleeing from Artemivsk (the Russian name for Bakhmut), this is not so. The Armed Forces of Ukraine work clearly, smoothly. We have a lot to learn from them. “They are moving forward meter by meter. The settlement of Artemovsk will be taken,” he said.
