Wagner fighters are stationed in various countries around the world, including Syria, Libya and the Central African Republic. Now a US-based thinktank believes the Kremlin may intend to take 'formal control' of the group and turn it into a state-owned enterprise. There have been suggestions it could be rebranded, absorbed by the Russian military or just completely disbanded. Since the start of the war, HRW has published four reports documenting the use by Russian troops of 13 types of anti personnel mines that killed and injured civilians.Īfter the exile of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin to Belarus, many have been wondering what will come of his mercenary group. Russia did not join the treaty and its use of anti-personnel mines 'violates international humanitarian law because they are inherently indiscriminate,' the HRW said.Īnti-personnel mines are detonated by a person's presence, proximity or contact and can kill and maim long after a conflict ends. In 2005, Ukraine ratified a 1997 international treaty banning such mines and mandating the destruction of stocks of the weapons. The HRW's findings were shared with the Ukrainian government last month, but it did not receive a response, the group said. 'The Ukrainian government's pledge to investigate its military's apparent use of banned anti-personnel mines is an important recognition of its duty to protect civilians,' Steve Goose, the organisation's arms director, said. The group called on Ukraine's government to follow through with a commitment made earlier this month not to employ such weapons, investigate their suspected use and hold accountable those responsible.

Evidence of Ukraine indiscriminately using banned anti-personnel landmines against Russian troops has emerged, according to Human Rights Watch.

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