Satellite images hint at scale of Russian mercenary group's losses in Ukraine
PHOTO
WORLD 27 January 2023 - 04:36
The number of graves at a cemetery used by Russia's notorious mercenary Wagner Group has dramatically grown over the last two months, satellite images show.
A photograph taken on Jan. 24 by Maxar Technologies, a US defense contractor headquartered in Colorado, shows at least 121 burial plots in a section of the cemetery allotted to fighters from the private military company, NBC News reports.
An image of the same area taken on Nov. 24 appears to show around 17 graves, suggesting that in two months there has been around a sevenfold increase, according to an NBC News analysis of the site on the outskirts of the village of Bakinskaya, in southwestern Russia.
The apparent expansion at the site, which is situated around 200 miles from the border with Crimea, comes after Wagner Group fighters were belatedly credited earlier this month by Russia's defense ministry with taking the town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine, which saw some of the war’s most intense combat.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, said troops from his irregular private army had taken the salt-mining town two days before the official announcement. He later griped that the Russian military was “constantly trying to steal Wagner’s victory.”
Prigozhin, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and former restaurateur, has recruited former prisoners as soldiers for hire in Russia’s war on Ukraine, promising bounties and pardons in exchange for service. The Wagner Group previously provided assistance to the Russian military during conflicts in Syria and Libya.
Acknowledging Soledar's fall for the first time on Wednesday, Serhii Cherevatyi, a spokesman for Ukraine's forces in the east, said his country's troops had now moved away from the town to previously prepared defense lines, “in order to preserve the lives of the personnel.”
He added that added Ukraine had inflicted “huge losses” on Russian soldiers comparable to “the losses of the aggressor in the two Chechen wars.”
NBC News could not independently verify this claim.
Two weeks ago, similar aerial photos taken around the nearby city of Bakhmut revealed the devastation of ruined buildings and bomb craters in the strategically significant city, by comparing the same areas pictured in August and then again in January. These images were also released by Maxar Technologies.
The US government said last week that it will designate Wagner Group as a “significant transnational criminal organization” and impose further sanctions against the organization and its support network.
The Wagner Group did not comment on the satellite images and video.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Poland suspends military drills following fifth soldier's death
27 March 2024 - 13:41
|
2
|
Syrian scenario for Armenia Russian, Israeli experts’ views for Caliber.Az
26 March 2024 - 17:27
|
3
|
Serbian president warns of difficult days ahead
27 March 2024 - 11:04
|
4
|
Global reactions to UNSC Gaza ceasefire resolution Diverse views, urgent action
27 March 2024 - 18:00
|
5
|
Vucic warns of Serbia's Council of Europe departure amid Kosovo debate Double standards alert
28 March 2024 - 12:13
|
Russian Foreign Ministry warns Armenia of potential risks in EU alignment
29 March 2024 - 18:50
Turkish police detain 70 suspected FETÖ terrorists in raids
VIDEO29 March 2024 - 18:41
Azerbaijan House inaugurated in Ankara, showcasing cultural heritage
PHOTO29 March 2024 - 18:32
Azerbaijan's Fuzuli residents receive keys to new flats
Joyous homecoming/PHOTO/UPDATED29 March 2024 - 18:25
Russian senator warns Armenia of EU alignment:
"Stepping on same rake as Ukraine"29 March 2024 - 18:16
Moscow: Russian military base sole guarantor of Armenia's sovereignty
29 March 2024 - 18:01
Azerbaijan's foreign minister, Russian envoy discuss cooperation, regional peace agenda
29 March 2024 - 17:56
Israeli strikes on Syria kill 38, including 5 Hezbollah members
PHOTO29 March 2024 - 17:54
Baku, Riyadh explore cooperation on climate change initiatives
29 March 2024 - 17:45
US Navy preps hypersonic weapon test this spring
29 March 2024 - 17:36
Azerbaijani deputy prime minister attends CIS Economic Council meeting in Moscow
29 March 2024 - 17:28
Russia, Ukraine exchange bodies of deceased servicemen
29 March 2024 - 17:20
Russian envoy: US sees Armenia as geopolitical tool against Russia, Iran
UPDATED29 March 2024 - 17:11
Georgian politician advocates for “foreign agents” law to safeguard sovereignty
29 March 2024 - 17:00
France's right-wing leader signals potential exit from NATO military command
29 March 2024 - 16:52
Over 32,600 Palestinians killed, 75,000 injured in Gaza
29 March 2024 - 16:43
Sweden considers supplying Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine amid ongoing discussions
29 March 2024 - 16:36
Suspects linked to Moscow terrorist attack detained in Tajikistan
29 March 2024 - 16:28
Orban advocates for buffer zone in Ukraine, dismisses direct Russian threat
29 March 2024 - 16:20
US allocates over $113 billion in aid to Ukraine amid Ongoing conflict
29 March 2024 - 16:11
Türkiye’s intelligence chief to meet US House delegation to discuss security concerns
29 March 2024 - 16:02
Blazing bits transmitted 4.5 million times faster than broadband
29 March 2024 - 15:54
Armenian defence minister convenes meeting with generals
29 March 2024 - 15:46
Pundit: Armenia faces crucial decision amid EU-US pressure
29 March 2024 - 15:37
AvtoVAZ launches Lada car production in Azerbaijan
Expanding presence and promising prospects29 March 2024 - 15:28
Russia doubled imports of an explosives ingredient
With Western help29 March 2024 - 15:16
Azerbaijan passes stricter measures against religious extremism
New rules for special operations approved29 March 2024 - 15:04
Hamas leader seeks more Iranian support during Tehran's visit
Amidst Gaza conflict29 March 2024 - 14:59
Ministry neutralizes ammunition cache discovered outside Azerbaijani capital
PHOTO/VIDEO29 March 2024 - 14:52
COP29 to help adapt Azerbaijan's agricultural policy to international experience - minister
29 March 2024 - 14:40
BAE displays new armored multipurpose vehicle
PHOTO29 March 2024 - 14:27
Azerbaijan disappointed by biased US stance on peace process
Presidential aide says29 March 2024 - 14:21
Ambassador Ravkov: Azerbaijan and Belarus are strategic partners
29 March 2024 - 14:14
Azerbaijani police seize batch of Armenian weapons in Khankendi
29 March 2024 - 14:10
Azerbaijan attracts $6.7 billion in direct foreign investment in 2023
29 March 2024 - 13:55
Armenian Prosecutor's Office targets family of Dashnak representative
29 March 2024 - 13:43
Azerbaijan asserts right to self-defense amidst calls for regional peace
Hajiyev grants interview to Chinese TV channel Phoenix29 March 2024 - 13:39
Azerbaijan to construct four new renewable energy plants this year – energy minister
29 March 2024 - 13:30
Azerbaijan holds command-staff exercise in one of military units
29 March 2024 - 13:17
Azerbaijan, China strengthen economic ties
From trade to investment29 March 2024 - 13:10