20,000 people newly arrived
Italy blames Wagner mercenary group for migration
03/13/2023, 11:58 p.m
Every year, thousands of people from Africa try to get to Italy via the Mediterranean route. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto now blames the Russian mercenary group Wagner. The increase in refugees is part of a strategy.
Italy blames the Russian mercenary group Wagner for the increase in migration across the Mediterranean. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said that the exponential increase in the migration phenomenon emanating from the African coasts is also part of a clear strategy of hybrid warfare.
The Wagner Group has considerable weight in some African countries and uses it for this. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin rejected the allegations in a voice message peppered with swear words on his Telegram channel. “We have no idea what’s happening with the migrant crisis, we’re not dealing with it.” He describes Crosetto in foul language and tells him to mind his own country.
According to data from the Interior Ministry, around 20,000 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year. In the same period last year, there were 6,100. Crosetto called on NATO to help Italy deal with the crisis.
The Wagner group is accused of taking part in the suppression of uprisings in Mali, Libya and the Central African Republic in some African countries. She is currently supporting Russian troops in Ukraine and is leading the fight for the strategically important city of Bakhmut.