It is very likely that there are less than 1,000 Wagner PMC militants left in Belarus. This benefits the Russian Federation and negatively affects Ukraine.
The UK Ministry of Defense reports this.
It is indicated that the Wagnerites have been present in Belarus since June 2023, at that time there were 8,000 mercenaries there. The militants almost certainly continue to train the Belarusian military and security forces.
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Most likely, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko will not use Wagner PMC militants beyond their current competence. They participate in the training of troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but are unlikely to support internal or border security in the country.
— Wagner's continued presence in Belarus also almost certainly benefits the Russian war effort by forcing Ukraine to maintain defensive positions and personnel along the northern border to protect against possible future incursions, — summed up by British intelligence.
Earlier, the UK Ministry of Defense reported that the Kremlin had strengthened control over the Wagner PMC by joining it to the Russian Guard.
