Much has been said about Wagner’s group of Russian mercenaries since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On Wednesday, these extremely brutal forces took control of the town of Soledar, the scene of fierce fighting in eastern Ukraine in recent days. According to La Libre, quoted by Rador, Kyiv immediately contested this demand.

At the head of Wagner is the dangerous Yevgeny Prigozhin. As a brief introduction to the character, he said to the corpses of his soldiers, “They’re out of contract, they’re going home next week. Happy birthday guys!”

International politics professor David Kriekemans (UAntwerpen and KU Leuven) explained to the Dutch-language daily Het Laatste Nieuws how the group could influence the continuation and outcome of the war.

Will Wagner’s army be able to lead the Russian army to a bloody victory?

It is too early to predict, but Prigozhin’s militia and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s troops are two more organized and super-armed groups. They allow Russia to force its way in strategic places. Ukraine fears a Russian offensive in the spring.

“Wagner’s troops are preparing for the arrival of the Russian regular army, which will be able to roll over its heavy equipment again when the winter is over,” predicts David Kriekemans.

“Everyone is waiting for a new spring offensive of the Russians. And the Ukrainians understand that something is being prepared, and therefore they are begging the West to supply them with tanks, armored vehicles and other equipment. What is happening right now is the calm before the storm. “, – says the analyst.