Page:Seventh Report - Guns for gold- the Wagner Network exposed.pdf/10

Rh "One of their first operations in Ukraine was the disarming of Crimea in 2014. They were also involved in the downing of the Ukrainian MOD IL-76 (resulting in 49 dead) and attacks on Luhansk airport and Debaltseve."

8. The Wagner Network then significantly expanded its military and non-military operations in many countries: a trend described by Transparency International as “increasingly alarming”. These interventions were often secretive and met with denials from host governments, the Russian government and Prigozhin himself. A former Wagner fighter told us that the Russian Government gave extensive military support to the Wagner Network from the time of its creation:

"All that is necessary for combat- uniforms, equipment, weapons and ammunition, was received from Ministry of Defence stocks."

Even the standard issued weapon of Wagner fighters, a 5.45mm machine gun, relied on the supply of ammunition by the Russian state. The former Wagner fighter’s evidence—prepared in the first half of 2023—also noted the network’s continued use of the logistics of the Russian Ministry of Defence at that time. The fighter stated that the Ministry provides ammunition and weapons, and facilitates the transfer of Wagner operatives to Syria and Africa. There were also additional forms of support:

"Military transport aircraft of the Russian Armed Forces deliver mercenaries and small dimension/weight cargo to the Khmeimim air base (Syria) and further to Africa. Air bases in the city of Chkalovsk (Moscow Region) and Krymsk (Krasnodar Territory) are used to transport operatives of PMC Wagner. Heavy duty cargo, equipment and ammunition for PMC Wagner are delivered to Syria by the Russian Navy."