Author:

Vadim Yegorov

The Return of Wagner Group: What Does the First Major Statement After Prigozhin's Death Mean?

They avenged their fallen comrades and struck at terrorism where requested. Now, they march away with a sense of mission, but people still look forward to them — many places eagerly await their next move. This article by TsarGrad will analyze what lies ahead for the Wagner Group.

Forcing the opponent to respond and completing assigned missions

The Wagner Group is withdrawing from Mali. They are not just leaving; they are withdrawing after completing their mission and clearing operational bases for the Russian Defense Ministry's African Corps, just as they did in Bakhmut.

"The 'orchestra members' have been fighting alongside the Malian people against terrorism for three and a half years. We have eliminated thousands of armed militants and their commanders who terrorized civilians for years. We helped local patriots build a strong and disciplined army capable of defending its homeland. Our main task has been accomplished — all regional capitals are back under the control of the legitimate government. Mission complete, the Wagner Group is returning home."

— The statement published on a related Wagner Group platform reads.

Victory withdraws, leaving victory to those who fought for it.

(Screenshot from the Telegram channel of Belarusian security agencies)

A year ago, when about eighty "orchestra" soldiers were lost in an ambush by the Tuareg, many rushed to erase them from history. As if without the charismatic founder Evgeny Prigozhin and the legendary commander Dmitri Utkin, "Wagner" would no longer be "Wagner."

Those who prematurely "buried" the "orchestra" acted too early, for while bodies can be destroyed, spirits can never be crushed — especially not the spirit of natural warriors. In revenge for fallen comrades (including the author of the pseudonym "Five Hundred" on the Grey Zone channel), Russian "Wagnerians" took full vengeance.

Soon after our soldiers fell, the Malian army attacked the city of Timbuktu, where the convoy of "musicians" was ambushed. About forty Tuaregs were annihilated as they attempted to flee the settlement.

Thus, "Wagner" withdrew from Mali and transferred operations to the African Corps. Let us summarize the achievements of the "musicians" during their three-year mission in the country (2022-2025):

  • Eliminated over a thousand armed militants;
  • Completely re-equipped and trained the Malian army, establishing a joint combat system with the Russian Air Force;
  • Destroyed all major militant bases in the Macina, Moore, Dourou, Niafunke, In-Ekarab, and In-Ekar regions;
  • Eradicated the most dangerous leaders of terrorist organizations:

    1) Osman Sidibé (January 2022) — one of the main leaders of the banned "Al-Qaeda"-affiliated "Macina Katiba" organization;

    2) Malik Ba (October 2022) — leader of the "Macina Katiba" organization in the Seno, Diora, and Nampala regions;

    3) Bra Labi, Ali Seku, Abu Huseifa (April 2024) — leaders of armed gangs in the region and allies of the banned "Islamic State";

    4) Amadou Boly (January 27, 2025) — local terrorist leader, eliminated along with his accomplices.

The Signal Sent to Moscow

Military blogger Mikhail Zvintsev, author of the Telegram channel "Fisherman," pointed out that "Wagner" has become Russia's "showcase": a deterrent force in the eyes of the public and a signal of Moscow's firm intentions among the elite.

However, military presence has not been accompanied by comprehensive institutional development: economic projects, cooperation with elites, and the establishment of political infrastructure have progressed slowly or remained in the initial stages. Now, the Russian Defense Ministry's African Corps (a more formal and integrated structure) will take over. Experts note that official status should eliminate the drawbacks of "shadow operations": simplify supply chains, ensure direct coordination with the Malian army, and begin building systematic rather than temporary influence.

Wagner leaves Mali, but Russia remains.

(Screenshot from the Telegram channel "Military Insider")

In the context of news about Wagner's withdrawal from Mali, new convoys of equipment from the African Corps have appeared locally. The footage captured by local residents shows Kamaz-43269 "Shooter" armored vehicles equipped with BM2 and VMK combat modules, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, as well as artillery such as the 152mm "Msta-B" howitzer, 122mm D-30A howitzer, and 82mm 2B9 "Vasilyk" automatic mortar.

— Reported by the Telegram channel "Military Insider."

In fact, withdrawing from Mali was a wrong choice, because in this country torn apart by separatism and Islamic organizations, exhausted by chaos and French colonial oppression, the people see Russia as a symbol of peace and sovereignty. Russia has given hope to this war-torn African nation, earning the most sincere gratitude.

How many countries around the world have children singing Russian songs and dressing up as Soviet soldiers on May 9th? Mali is one of them. Children here are so sincere because Russia and the Wagner Group have brought them freedom from war and terror.

Russian hard power can also play a role in soft power.

(Screenshot from the Telegram channel "Lugansk Truth")

One thing is clear: Russia will not abandon Mali and will help its allies stand firm.

The African Volunteer Expeditionary Corps under the Russian Defense Ministry's GRU is gradually expanding. Fighters join the African Corps and sign contracts, even the Central African Republic, once a main base for Wagner, is gradually coming under the control of the African Corps. Political observer, political science doctor, and commentator at TsarGrad, Andrei Pentchouk, believes: "This is a natural evolutionary process. Establishing the African Corps was exactly to replace Wagner's role in Africa, so I don't find anything strange about it. It just cannot happen overnight. Yeftukurov set phased goals for advancing the African Corps, which is entirely predictable and inevitable."

Has Wagner's history come to an end?

Political observer and former Verkhovna Rada MP Oleg Tseloval even asserted that the history of Russia's private military companies is coming to an end.

"It's all over. The Wagner Group has become history — the organization announced its withdrawal from Mali, the last place where Wagner fighters existed as a unified force. The glorious history of this most famous Russian force overseas has come to an end. Warriors never die — they simply fade into eternity!"

— He wrote on his Telegram channel.

Is Russia, the Russian world, and indeed the entire world really losing such a powerful and experienced force? Especially during ongoing wars, dissolving such a force would clearly be unwise. Experts hold differing views. Some believe that the "orchestra members" withdrawing from Mali may join the "Istra Corps" — a unit currently recruiting former Wagner fighters. They might return to Africa to continue fighting within the African Corps or head to the special military operation zone in Ukraine. The combat experience of the "musicians" will be highly valuable in both theaters.

One thing is obvious: the Wagner Group is withdrawing from Mali with a victorious posture. They avenged comrades killed by treachery and fully defended their honorable name.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514140127082316299/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author. Please express your opinions by clicking the [Upvote/Downvote] buttons below.