The Ukrainian city has resisted heavy Russian attacks since the summer, but Wagner’s mercenaries appear to have gained ground around Bakhmut against Kiev’s forces.
The British defence ministry says the move shows Russian forces are under pressure and that the mercenaries are unlikely to make up for the loss of regular infantry units.
Forces linked to Russia operating in the Central African Republic have executed, tortured, and beaten civilians since 2019, according to Human Rights Watch.
Mali junta has accused France of violating its air space after Paris released drone footage of mass burials by “Russian mercenaries” at former French military base.
French army "illegally" flew a drone over the Gossi base, Mali junta says, which was recently handed by departing French forces to Mali and where a mass grave has been found by authorities.
UN chief Antonio Guterres says the body has found evidence that the Central African Republic's army and its foreign supporters violated international humanitarian law.
Bamako and Moscow are only involved in a state-to-state partnership and Russia is only supporting the country's national defence and security forces, Mali says.
The announcement comes amid fears the soldiers trained by EU training Mision in the Central African Republic could be recruited by Russian mercenary group Wagner.
The bloc imposed sanctions on Russian private military company Wagner Group, as well as on three other entities and individuals, including former Russian military intelligence officers accused of mercenary work in Ukraine.
Russia is trying to exert influence over the African continent by sending troops, increasing arms sales and inking security deals.
United Arab Emirates has been providing assistance to Russian mercenaries, according to a US Defense Intelligence Agency assessment reported by Foreign Policy magazine. Wagner supports the Haftar militia against the UN-backed government in Libya.
Belarus arrested the men last month, saying they had sought to destabilise the country prior to Sunday's presidential election.
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