The UK Defense Ministry's intelligence update unveils the conclusion of Russia's Wagner Group's Project K prison recruitment scheme, leading to the release of convict-recruits and possible transformations in the group's structure and Russia's actions in Ukraine.
The ministry tweeted:
- "In the coming days, Russia’s Wagner Group is likely to release the last of its convict-recruits from their mandated service. Its Project K prison recruitment scheme peaked in early 2023 and at least 40,000 men served under it."
- "A significant number of the now pardoned convicts are likely to take up the offer to continue with Wagner as professional contractors. Meanwhile, the Russian MOD has taken over Wagner’s prison recruitment pipeline."
- "The end of the scheme marks a way point in the history of Wagner and of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The soldiers provided by Project K enabled Russia to seize Bakhmut: one of its few recent claims to success."
Read also:
- MI6 Chief to Russians: spy for UK to end Ukraine war
- Boat fights in lower Dnipro pose dilemma for Russia – British intel
- Ukraine and Russia achieve “marginal defenses” in different areas of front – UK Intelligence
- Wagner fighters spotted in Belarus as nearly all Russian troops withdraw – Kyiv
