Decoding Operational Latitude of Russian Private Military Companies (PMCs): A Case Study of Wagner Group in Syria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37540/njips.v7i2.172Keywords:
Private Military Companies, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, Wagner Group, Operational Latitude, NATOAbstract
The usage of private military companies (PMCs) has remained rampant among significant powers of the world since the Cold War. Historically, PMCs emerged as small contractors in the beginning but gradually attained multiplicity with distinctive capabilities. The Russian Wagner Group provides multi-dimensional and sophisticated support to the Putin Administration. The Group accounts for an operational latitude which is advanced, diplomatic, and target-oriented, and maneuvers Russian strength in both Syria and Ukraine. Russian mercenaries are state-specific, i.e., the use of Wagner Group in Syria and Ukraine, making it challenging for the opposition to understand the functioning and administration of these companies. By 2019, the Group remained covert yet precarious for its enemies. However, the new advancements suggest that the idea of plausible deniability is now shifting towards overt use as well as far-reaching proprietorship of the Group as a branch of Russian military interests. The research focuses on the private structure of Wagner Group paving the way for new challenges towards the NATO countries, shifting from conventional military threats from Russia towards overt, opportunist, and task-oriented PMCs.
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