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Who are the Wagner Group, and why are they in Ukraine?

Russian mercenaries known as the Wagner Group are reportedly hunting Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, through Kyiv. Who are they, and what are they doing in Ukraine?

According to media reports, Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has survived two assassination attempts from the band of mercenaries known as the Wagner Group. Their ruthlessness has earned them a feared reputation from Kyiv to Central Africa. But who are they, and has Putin really entrusted them with taking out a head of state?

(Pro-Russian separatists patrol with armoured vehicles in Donetsk, Ukraine 11 March 2022. Getty Images)

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23 minutes

Last on

Thu 17 Mar 202223:06GMT
BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa

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  • Thu 17 Mar 202208:06GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Thu 17 Mar 202215:06GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Thu 17 Mar 202223:06GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa

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