Page:Seventh Report - Guns for gold- the Wagner Network exposed.pdf/48

Rh Russia which continue to have close and intimate relationships with Russian officials300 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 should do all within its power to restrict the flow of arms and other military equipment to the Wagner Network, to reduce the viability of future combat operations. The UK Government should also share intelligence with host Governments to demonstrate the ineffectiveness of the Wagner Network and to demonstrate how it is a tool of enrichment for the Russian state.

75. Our report focused on the Wagner Network as an obvious example of a ‘PMC’—also often called PMSC301 —that poses a threat to the UK’s interests and values. We acknowledge that many dispute the applicability of this term. It is not the only Russia-aligned PMC,302 even if it is unique.303 Sorcha MacLeod, Chair of the UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries, warned of an “extremely concerning” increase in the use of ‘PMCs’ as proxies by Russia and others.304 Some drew attention to the significant growth of China’s private sector industry in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative,305 and warned that countries may consider using proxies in future in a similar way to Russia, as we have seen in Iran.306 As we watch the fallout of the Wagner Network and where it continues to have influence, we should be particularly looking at Syria and whether Iran