Over the past year, the PMC "Wagner" has significantly expanded its activities in the Central African Republic (CAR). The profits of mercenaries from gold mining in the country can grow to almost a billion dollars.
Politico writes about this with reference to its own sources and diplomatic documents.
The money earned will most likely be used to purchase weapons and hire new fighters.
According to diplomatic documents, the "Wagnerians" built a large industrial complex in the center of the country, on a gold deposit not far from the city of Bambari. Currently, the deposit consists of eight production zones.
According to the U.S. estimates, the PMC is preparing the facility for long-term operation. Bridges over rivers are being built here, and anti-aircraft guns have been installed on trucks. At the same time, the CAR authorities stopped giving permission to launch UN peacekeeper drones over the deposit. According to the diplomatic cable, American officials consider this a sign that the Russian PMC is "gaining political control in the country."
At the gold mine, the group operates as a company registered in Madagascar.
- The CAR authorities have been receiving support from Russia since 2017. Local forces receive weapons and undergo training under the direction of the Russians. The PMC "Wagner" itself also operates in the CAR.
- The ranks of the PMC "Wagner" are also recruited in Russian prisons. According to mass media, 23 000 prisoners have already disappeared from Russian prisons in two months. There is evidence that the owner of the PMC Yevgeniy Prigozhyn is personally engaged in recruitment.