this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2023
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[–] RippleEffect@lemm.ee 42 points 1 year ago (7 children)

I really don't understand how the Wagner group can exist. Like what are you fighting for? It doesn't seem worth it.

[–] netwren@lemmy.world 47 points 1 year ago

I mean this isn't unprecedented. Blackwater exists in the United States, hell you even have the Pinkertons, if you go back the revolutionary war the Brits used the Hessians to fight.

Mercenary is one of the oldest professions.

[–] MataVatnik@lemmy.world 37 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Money, most of them come really poor backgrounds. Imagine living in the ghetto and getting offered well over $100,000 per year in the US.

The actual numbers I think soldiers start at 3k per month. Which is a shitton of money for somebody in rural Russia/Moldova/Ukraine. ( yes ukranians have been known to be recruited into Wagner before the war)

[–] BottleOfAlkahest@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago

There are also sometimes some of the same principles of found family and inclusion that get kids into gangs too. A military unit can very much feel like a family sometimes (depending on the unit). Once the money lures them in the brain washing starts to make them a cohesive fighting unit and that often includes group loyalty and strong feelings of inclusion.

They’re a mercenary force that fights for money.

That said, you do not want to be captured by rebel forces in someplace like the CAR or DRC for any amount of money.

[–] Labtec6@lemmy.ca 19 points 1 year ago

Paying bullies and murders to bully, rape and kill people. Why wouldn't they?

[–] ours@lemmy.film 14 points 1 year ago

Wagner works in exchange for shares in mining operations in some places.