As soon as a shadowy group whose very existence was unconfirmed, Russia’s infamous Wagner mercenary group, whose profile has grown exponentially for the reason that struggle in Ukraine started final yr, has now been registered as a joint-stock firm in Russia’s second metropolis St. Petersburg, the BBC Russian Service reported on Tuesday.
A joint inventory firm known as “PMC Wagner Heart” has now been registered in St. Petersburg, in keeping with the BBC, which additionally established that till now there had by no means been a authorized entity known as Wagner formally registered in Russia.
In its registration paperwork, PMC Wagner Heart described its actions as together with enterprise and administration consulting, publishing, media, scientific growth, and the leasing of ships and airplanes.
The corporate, whose shareholders weren’t disclosed, was registered on the St. Petersburg deal with of the Wagner Know-how Heart, which opened final yr.
Wagner operated behind the scenes for years earlier than the Russian invasion of Ukraine compelled its public profile to develop as a result of its position supplying 1000’s of privately contracted troopers for the battle.
Prigozhin, a St. Petersburg enterprise magnate also known as “Putin’s chef” for his long-time position supplying catering to the Kremlin, confirmed final yr that he had based Wagner after years of denying any connection to the mercenary group whose fighters have been noticed in battle zones all around the world.