The Wagner Group and beyond: proxy Private Military Companies

Foreign Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 30 Mar 2022 Closed: 26 Apr 2024 Parliament page
This inquiry will explore the challenge posed by Private Military Companies (PMCs) that some states use as proxies in conflict and to destabilise fragile countries. It will also examine how the UK Government is responding. The inquiry will focus particularly on the Wagner Group. Read the call for evidence for … Read more
19 Recommendations
20 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
1 Letter
3 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
30 Oct
2023
Report published
26 Jul
2023
Report published
15 Mar
2023
Correspondence
6 Feb
2023
Oral evidence
6 Feb
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
1 Nov
2022
Oral evidence
1 Nov
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
19 Apr
2022
Oral evidence
19 Apr
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
6 Feb 2023
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Foreign Affairs Committee
Ben Fender OBE · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Hazel Cameron · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Leo Docherty · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
1 Nov 2022
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Foreign Affairs Committee
Jason McCue · McCue Jury & Partners Mikhail Khodorkovsky Professor Jason Blazakis · Middlebury Institute of International Studies
19 Apr 2022
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Foreign Affairs Committee
Christo Grozev · Bellingcat Dr Sean McFate · Atlantic Council Dr Sorcha MacLeod · University of Copenhagen
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report - Guns for gold: the Wagner Network exposed HC 167 26 Jul 2023 39 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
Clear
2 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Guns for gold: th…
Wagner Network is opportunistic but ultimately guided by the Russian state, delivering geopolitical benefits.
The Wagner Network is highly opportunistic and not a straightforward proxy for Russia, even though the Russian state has sometimes directed, facilitated, and supported its military operations, notably in Libya and Ukraine. Even when the network has acted purely in … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees with the committee's analysis of the Wagner Network, outlining its ongoing use of sanctions to deter and disrupt malign Wagner activity, including recent designations of 13 individuals and businesses involved in Mali, CAR, and Sudan, and will consider the committee's analysis for further action.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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17 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Guns for gold: th…
Expedite and strengthen sanctions against all Wagner-linked individuals and entities, closing enforcement gaps.
We recommend that the Government move faster and harder in sanctioning Wagner- linked individuals and entities. Specifically, it should: (Paragraph 58) (a) Sanction all individuals and entities provided in Appendix 1, which the United States and European Union have already … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, highlighting recent designations of 13 Wagner-linked individuals and businesses in July, some of which were not targeted by the EU or US. It explains that the UK's sanctioning ability depends on building individual cases under its own statutory requirements and it will consider the committee's analysis in detail for future action, implying a selective approach to additional sanctions rather than a blanket acceptance of Appendix 1.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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19 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Guns for gold: th…
Prioritise introducing and enforcing travel bans for Wagner-linked individuals, collaborating with Turkey.
We further recommend that the Government prioritises introducing and enforcing travel bans for Wagner-linked individuals as a likely deterrent to involvement in the network, in particular working with Turkey, a popular holiday destination for Russians. Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees that travel bans have a deterrent effect but states that UK sanctions have limited impact on travel to Turkey. They commit to continuing discussions with international partners on possible sanctions or travel bans they could adopt.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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21 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Guns for gold: th…
Urgently assess compiled Wagner-linked names and impose sanctions if thresholds are met.
We implore the Government to urgently assess these names and impose sanctions on these individuals and entities if the necessary threshold is met.
Government Response
The government partially agrees, highlighting existing sanctions against the Wagner Group and its former leader, and recent designations of 13 individuals and businesses. It notes the limitations of its sanctions regime and will consider the committee's provided analysis for further action.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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24 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Guns for gold: th…
Declassify and share intelligence on Wagner Network's destabilising effects with engaging countries.
As the Government improves its intelligence on the network, it should declassify it strategically and share it with countries that are considering engaging with the Wagner Network, to demonstrate the organisation’s destabilising effects, following the lead of the United States … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees on the potential value of declassification and sharing intelligence but notes it's not always possible due to risks. It states that it has already stepped up communication channels to expose Wagner's activities to demonstrate its destabilising effects.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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30 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Guns for gold: th…
Restrict flow of arms to Wagner Network and share intelligence with host governments.
We recommend that the UK Government takes advantage of the current uncertainty and seeks to disrupt the Wagner Network. In particular, at a moment when its usual supply channels from the Russian Ministry of Defence are in doubt, the Government … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to disrupt the Wagner Network, stating it has increased efforts in communications, assessment, and policy coordination, and will consider further sanctions designations and continue work with partners to improve sanctions enforcement and counter illicit finance.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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37 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Guns for gold: th…
Set out steps to strengthen international legal framework governing PMCs and accountability.
In its response, the Government should set out the steps that it will take to strengthen the international legal framework governing PMCs’ activities, drawing on the UK’s deep legal expertise. Its response should address the following aspects: (Paragraph 88) 58 … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts the recommendation, agreeing on the need for clarification on definitions and actively participating in UN discussions to develop a workable framework, though rejecting the UN Mercenaries Convention in its current form. It fully agrees on improving accountability for Wagner fighters, supporting ICC investigations with £2.5 million funding, and promoting state accountability through continued engagement with the Montreux Document and IGWG discussions.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 39 of 19 classified
Accepted 23
Accepted in Part 7
Acknowledged 4
Not Addressed 3
Rejected 2
Total 19 recs + 20 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
15 Mar 2023 Correspondence with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Europe) following up on the FAC evidence session on 6 February 2023, dated 28/02/2023 and 09/02/2023
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