Summary
Overview
This episode chronicles the transformation of Wagner Group from a small mercenary force into a massive army of 85,000 troops during Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin's former chef turned warlord, recruits tens of thousands of prisoners with promises of pardons, creating brutal 'meat wave' assault units. As Wagner grows more powerful and Prigozhin's public profile rises, he begins to challenge the Russian military establishment, setting up a dangerous imbalance in Putin's carefully managed power structure that will lead to dramatic consequences.
Russia's Failed Invasion and Wagner's Opportunity
When Russia's 72-hour plan to topple Ukraine collapses in February 2022, the Kremlin turns to Wagner Group after initially excluding them. Prigozhin, who had been getting the cold shoulder from Defense Minister Shoigu, finally receives the call on March 19th from his GRU contact. The Russian military's own mercenary unit, Redoute, has been wiped out, and without full mobilization, Russia desperately needs bodies. This failure of the conventional military creates the perfect opportunity for Prigozhin to transform Wagner from a small African operation into a major fighting force.
- Russia amasses 200,000 troops on Ukraine's border expecting a 72-hour victory, with soldiers carrying dress uniforms for a victory parade in Kiev
- Wagner was not part of the original invasion plan - Prigozhin had been struggling to get calls returned from military intelligence
- The Russian military's plan collapses when met with fierce Ukrainian resistance
- On March 19th, nearly a month after invasion, Prigozhin finally gets the call from the GRU asking for Wagner's help
" It's an opportunity for a mercenary. "
The Prison Recruitment Campaign
Summer 2022 marks Wagner's dramatic expansion as Prigozhin personally flies by helicopter to Russian penal colonies to recruit prisoners. Offering pardons after six months of service, he targets murderers, rapists, and other violent criminals with minimal screening. This brutal recruitment drive would eventually bring nearly 50,000 prisoners into Wagner's ranks, transforming the group from a few thousand fighters into a massive force of 85,000 at its peak—larger than the entire serving British army.
- By June 2022, Wagner has 25,000 fighters in eastern Ukraine, growing to a peak of 85,000 troops
- Prigozhin personally visits penal colonies, gathering prisoners in courtyards to pitch his offer
- Prisoners get one week of training before being sent to the front as cannon fodder in 'meat waves'
- Close to 50,000 prisoners sign up, including murderers, rapists, and even cannibals
" I'm the representative of a private military company. You may have heard of it. It's called the PMC Wagner. The war in Ukraine is hard, not even close to the Chechen wars and others. My ammunition consumption is about twice as high as during the Battle of Stalingrad. "
" The third sin is pillaging, including sexual contact with local women, flora, fauna, men, whatever. "
" Those who join but on the first day say that they are in the wrong place will be considered deserters, and we will shoot them. Guys, do you have any questions? "
" Decision time is five minutes. By the time we leave, time's up. "
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