Interview with a Vagner Group Commander

Introduction

• First interview with a Russian Vagner Group commander, discussing history, training, and operations.
• Guest: Morat Gabulan, former commander in the Vagner Group.

Background

• Morat Gabulan served in Soviet military, later joined Vagner Group.
• Vagner Group emerged in 2014 as a nickname, not a formal entity.

Origins of Vagner Group

• Founded in Eastern Ukraine by Dmitri Utkin and Prigoian in the 2010s.
• Named after German composer Richard Vagner.
• Initially composed of military veterans and individuals with brushes with the law.

Vagner Group Operations

• Conducted military operations in Syria against ISIS.
• Expanded operations into Africa, including Sudan and Central African Republic, engaging in various businesses like mining and breweries.

Battle of Kasham

• Engaged US and Kurdish forces in 2018 near Kasham.
• Vagner attack led to high casualties; US retaliated with aerial power.

Recruitment and Strategy

• Initially recruited from military circles, later expanded to Russian prisons.
• Strategy involved overwhelming attacks with high casualty tolerance.

Influence and Ambitions

• Progosian leveraged Vagner's success for personal influence and political gains.
• Vagner involvement in Ukraine's battle for Bachmoot.

2023 Mutiny

• Vagner's march towards Moscow in 2023 after conflicts with Russian Ministry of Defense.
• Progosian's attempt to replace rival Shyu led to failed coup.

Current Status

• Vagner Group has been integrated into the Ministry of Defense post-Progosian's assassination.
• Independent operations in Africa continue, benefiting Russian leadership.

Conclusion

• Morat Gabulan reflects on Vagner's operations and political implications.
• Plea for change in Russian leadership by Morat, now seeking asylum in France.