<p>If reports are to be believed, the Russian mercenary group Wagner is responsible for at least some of the 13 civilian deaths in conflict-torn Mali.</p>

<p>In a conversation with AFP, local sources have confirmed the death of 13 civilians by the Malian troops and a few white soldiers, believed to be from Russia's Wagner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The local sources claimed that the Maian soldiers along with some white soldiers arrived in Guelledje, a village in central Mali in large numbers. The source further added that there were gunfires and several arrests made. Till now the fatalities have been claimed to be 13.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/attack-in-mali-by-islamic-state-groups-claims-lives-of-nearly-30-people-514998"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Attack in Mali by Islamic State groups claims lives of nearly 30 people</strong></a></p>

<p>A resident claimed the reason behind the arrival of soldiers and the gunfires were because the village is considered to be a 'jihadist settlement.'</p>

<p>An official told that nearly 20 Pelu civilians have even been killed and arrested in the same village.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An official military source critically denied the allegations.&nbsp;The government further said that the Russians are working with the country's army as military&nbsp;instructors.</p>

<p>Its believed that the Wagner group has been engaged in combat in Ukraine since 2014.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/either-prisoners-fight-in-ukraine-or-your-children-decide-for-yourself-russian-mercenary-boss-516855"><strong>Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;Either prisoners fight in Ukraine, or your children, decide for yourself: Russian mercenary boss</strong></a></p>

<p>Superpowers like the US, France and several western countries have accused the government of deploying Russian mercenaries to fight the jihadist.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mali has been under severe political, economic and humanitarian crisis after the army seized power in 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The United Nations also accused the army of long-term abuses and torture of civilians.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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If reports are to be believed, the Russian mercenary group Wagner is responsible for at least some of the 13 civilian deaths in conflict-torn Mali. In a conversation with AFP, local sources have confirmed the death of 13 civilians by the Malian troops and a few white soldiers, believed to be from Russia's Wagner.

If reports are to be believed, the Russian mercenary group Wagner is responsible for at least some of the 13 civilian deaths in conflict-torn Mali. In a conversation with AFP, local sources have confirmed the death of 13 civilians by the Malian troops and a few white soldiers, believed to be from Russia's Wagner. The local sources claimed that the Maian soldiers along with some white soldiers arrived in Guelledje, a village in central Mali in large numbers. The source further added that there were gunfires and several arrests made. Till now the fatalities have been claimed to be 13. Also read | Attack in Mali by Islamic State groups claims lives of nearly 30 people A resident claimed the reason behind the arrival of soldiers and the gunfires were because the village is considered to be a 'jihadist settlement.' An official told that nearly 20 Pelu civilians have even been killed and arrested in the same village. An official military source critically denied the allegations. The government further said that the Russians are working with the country's army as military instructors. Its believed that the Wagner group has been engaged in combat in Ukraine since 2014. Also read | Either prisoners fight in Ukraine, or your children, decide for yourself: Russian mercenary boss Superpowers like the US, France and several western countries have accused the government of deploying Russian mercenaries to fight the jihadist. Mali has been under severe political, economic and humanitarian crisis after the army seized power in 2020. The United Nations also accused the army of long-term abuses and torture of civilians. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Malian army and Russia's Wagner mercenaries accused of civilian massacre, 13 killed, says source 

<p>A senior US defence official told news agency Reuters that Russian military company Wagner is trying to recruit over 1,500 felons for the war in Ukraine.</p>

<p>"Our information indicates that Wagner has been suffering high losses in Ukraine, especially and unsurprisingly among young and inexperienced fighters," Reuters quoted the defence official as saying.</p>

<p>Accusing it of clandestine operations on the Kremlin’s behalf, the European Union has imposed sanctions on the Wagner Group.</p>

<p>Although private military contractors have the right to work anywhere in the world as long as they do not break Russian law, President Vladimir Putin has said the group does not represent the country.</p>

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<p>Citing social media videos featuring Yevgeny Prigozhin, the American official pointed out he was trying to recruit Russian prisoners as well as Tajiks, Belarusians and Armenians.</p>

<p>The Wagner Group is linked to Prigozhin according to the US Treasury Department and the European Union.</p>

<p>Accused of committing war crimes in Syria and eastern Ukraine from 2014 onward, Wagner Group fighters were used in Russia's attack on Kyiv as per British military intelligence.</p>

<p>The Pentagon said last month that since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has suffered between 70,000 and 80,000 casualties.</p>

<p>Paving the way for a potential assault on occupation forces in the Donbas region, Ukraine extended its hold on recently recaptured territory on Monday as troops marched farther east into areas abandoned by Russia.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Watch WION's live TV here:</strong></p>

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A senior US defence official told news agency Reuters that Russian military company Wagner is trying to recruit over 1,500 felons for the war in Ukraine. "Our information indicates that Wagner has been suffering high losses in Ukraine, especially and unsurprisingly among young and inexperienced fighters," Reuters quoted the defence official as saying.

A senior US defence official told news agency Reuters that Russian military company Wagner is trying to recruit over 1,500 felons for the war in Ukraine. "Our information indicates that Wagner has been suffering high losses in Ukraine, especially and unsurprisingly among young and inexperienced fighters," Reuters quoted the defence official as saying. Accusing it of clandestine operations on the Kremlin’s behalf, the European Union has imposed sanctions on the Wagner Group. Although private military contractors have the right to work anywhere in the world as long as they do not break Russian law, President Vladimir Putin has said the group does not represent the country. × Citing social media videos featuring Yevgeny Prigozhin, the American official pointed out he was trying to recruit Russian prisoners as well as Tajiks, Belarusians and Armenians. The Wagner Group is linked to Prigozhin according to the US Treasury Department and the European Union. Accused of committing war crimes in Syria and eastern Ukraine from 2014 onward, Wagner Group fighters were used in Russia's attack on Kyiv as per British military intelligence. The Pentagon said last month that since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has suffered between 70,000 and 80,000 casualties. Paving the way for a potential assault on occupation forces in the Donbas region, Ukraine extended its hold on recently recaptured territory on Monday as troops marched farther east into areas abandoned by Russia. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Ukraine war: US says Russian military company Wagner trying to recruit over 1,500 felons

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<p><strong><em>Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;</em></strong></p>

<p>Ukraine destroyed the headquarters of Russia's shadowy Wagner paramilitary group known as the Wagner Group (or Wagner PMC), in the Luhansk region of Ukraine as media reports on Monday (August 15) mentioned.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted by BBC, the attack in Popasna was reported by Serhiy Hayday, who is a Ukrainian governor of the Luhansk region. Several other pro-Kremlin war reporters also reported it.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-responds-to-salman-rushdies-stabbing-denies-involvement-but-justifies-attack-507147">Iran responds to Salman Rushdie's stabbing: Denies involvement but blames writer for the attack</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Governor Hayday on Telegram wrote that Ukrainian forces "hit an enemy HQ whose whereabouts were established thanks to a Russian journalist".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This time the successful strike destroyed the Wagner PMC HQ in Popasna yesterday," he said. He added that "the number of dead is being clarified," the post added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report also mentioned that on August 8, Sergei Sreda, who is a Russian war correspondent, wrote about a visit to the "headquarters".&nbsp;</p>

<p>He published a post on Telegram, writing: "Arrived at Popasnaya, stopped at the headquarters of the 'PMC Wagner'. I was welcomed as family. Told me some funny stories."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-imposes-a-winter-gas-tax-despite-concerns-about-its-effects-507124">Germany imposes a winter gas tax despite concerns about its effects</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>Meanwhile, the Ukrainian forces reported heavy Russian shelling and many attempts to advance on several towns in the eastern region of Donetsk. Ukraine also noted that the forces had repelled many of the attacks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces also reported Russian shelling of over a dozen towns on the southern front - particularly the Kherson region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a news briefing, Natalia Humeniuk, who is a spokesperson for Ukraine's southern military command, said on Monday that the situation was complicated but under control.</p>

<p>"The enemy doesn't dare advance by land, but fires at the territories in the rear with artillery and rockets," she said.&nbsp;</p>

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Ukraine destroyed the headquarters of Russia's shadowy Wagner paramilitary group known as the Wagner Group (or Wagner PMC), in the Luhansk region of Ukraine as media reports on Monday (August 15) mentioned. As quoted by BBC, the attack in Popasna was reported by Serhiy Hayday, who is a Ukrainian governor of the Luhansk region. Several other pro-Kremlin war reporters also reported it. ALSO READ | Iran responds to Salman Rushdie's stabbing: Denies involvement but blames writer for the attack Governor Hayday on Telegram wrote that Ukrainian forces "hit an enemy HQ whose whereabouts were established thanks to a Russian journalist". "This time the successful strike destroyed the Wagner PMC HQ in Popasna yesterday," he said. He added that "the number of dead is being clarified," the post added. The report also mentioned that on August 8, Sergei Sreda, who is a Russian war correspondent, wrote about a visit to the "headquarters". He published a post on Telegram, writing: "Arrived at Popasnaya, stopped at the headquarters of the 'PMC Wagner'. I was welcomed as family. Told me some funny stories." ALSO READ | Germany imposes a winter gas tax despite concerns about its effects × Meanwhile, the Ukrainian forces reported heavy Russian shelling and many attempts to advance on several towns in the eastern region of Donetsk. Ukraine also noted that the forces had repelled many of the attacks. The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces also reported Russian shelling of over a dozen towns on the southern front - particularly the Kherson region. In a news briefing, Natalia Humeniuk, who is a spokesperson for Ukraine's southern military command, said on Monday that the situation was complicated but under control. "The enemy doesn't dare advance by land, but fires at the territories in the rear with artillery and rockets," she said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine destroys headquarters of Russia's Wagner paramilitary group: Report