Wagner

Ukraine, United States
US volunteers in Ukraine: Mozart Group's marines go to battle against each other

The Mozart Group, an organisation of ex-US military personnel operating in Ukraine to help in its fight against Russia, is unravelling behind the scenes. Founder Andy Milburn accuses his former CFO of secretive activities and has condemned what he considers a hostile takeover.

Spotlight | Ukraine
Turmoil and gains for Ukraine's spymasters at heart of the war

The Ukrainian intelligence landscape has undergone deep tectonic shifts since Russia's invasion nearly a year ago. Former prominent figures have fallen while previously less sought-after services have risen in power, cooperation partnerships have been formed and missions refocused.

Belarus, Russia, Ukraine
Moscow plans to hold Donbass with conscripts and prisoners

To make up for the extreme rawness of its recently mobilised recruits, Russia's military command has set up temporary training facilities near the front line and has taken steps to stem a growing tide of desertions.

Russia
Kremlin retakes control of the patriotic 'black' PR networks

Faced with economic and military difficulties, the Russian presidential administration is looking to tighten up its control over the information sphere. The effects have already been felt by media groups controlled by the powerful factions headed by the country's elite.

The Tech Telegraph
Cognyte intercepts 5G, Wagner joins Raytheon, Barikat bought out

From SIGINT to GEOINT and OSINT and a dose of cyber, each week we report on events both big and small that matter in the community of technical intelligence providers.

Herzliya Cognyte puts IMSI-catchers in 5G

Arlington John Wagner joins Raytheon's ISR division

Istanbul Turkcell pads out cyber wallet with Barikat

Ukraine, United Kingdom
Highgate revives its Ukrainian networks for Wagner prosecution case

London intelligence firm Highgate is counting on its strong Ukrainian links to back lawyers from McCue Jury and Partners, who are representing a group of Kyiv citizens taking Russian paramilitary group Wagner before the High Court in London for allegations of terrorism.

Spotlight | United States
Role of US private military contractors expanding sharply in Ukraine

As Russia's war in Ukraine grinds into its ninth month, the role of PMCs backing Ukrainian troops appears to be growing, interviews and a review of job ads show.

European Union, United States
Western and emerging powers battle over mercenary control at the UN

While Europe and the United States are trying to safeguard their private military companies within the United Nations, emerging powers are pushing to have them put on the same level as their own informal parastatal military contractors.

Africa, France, Russia
From Paris, ESL & Network promotes the reputation of an increasingly Russia-aligned Madagascar

The French firm has been appointed to smooth relations between the French and Malagasy governments, in the wake of multiple tensions which include Antananarivo's honeymoon with Moscow.

Israel, United States
Israeli firm's US cyber arm hires ex-intel officer to lobby in Washington

Security firm Elta North America is hiring lobbyists in Washington while its Israeli mother company seeks US approval to sell an anti-missile system to Germany.

Belarus, Russia
Is Belarus about to go to war with Ukraine?

Since the announcement of a partial mobilisation in Russia and the possible transformation of the "special military operation" in Ukraine into an official war, all parties are evaluating the risk of direct involvement of Belarusian troops in the hostilities.

Belarus
Combative opposition homes in on Lukashenko's private security firm Gardservis

As the risk of political unrest in Belarus grows and the war in Ukraine threatens to spill over its southern border, the Belorussian president is cranking up his own personal security, for which he relies on the small private company Gardservis.

United Kingdom
Armed security consultants give evidence to UK government's Wagner inquiry

The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee has received reams of written evidence on Wagner, at the centre of the UK government inquiry into proxy private military companies.

Ukraine
Ukrainian parliament gives priority to debate on military intelligence revamp

The large reform of Ukraine's SBU internal intelligence service, which has already been partly carried out, has been temporarily suspended because of the war with Moscow. Priority is now being given to some hard thinking about military intelligence reform.

France
French armed forces general staff prioritises information warfare capacities

With information warfare a huge component of the Ukrainian conflict and France fast losing ground in the Sahel, the French armed forces general staff is determined to regain its footing in the field.