US designates Russia’s Wagner military group an int’l ‘criminal organization’

This image reveals a defaced mural to the glory of Russia’s mercenary group Wagner studying “Wagner Group – Russian knights” on the aspect wall of an condominium bock in Belgrade on January 20, 2023. OLIVER BUNIC / AFP

WASHINGTON – The United States on Friday designated Russia’s Wagner group as a “transnational criminal organization,” elevating stress on the non-public Russian military combating in Ukraine.

Wagner “is a criminal organization that is continuing committing widespread atrocities and human rights abuses,” White House nationwide safety spokesman John Kirby stated. — Agence France-Presse