Europol uncovers Russian mercenaries recruited in Ukraine, including BiH citizens

(Patria) - Europol has supported the second phase of the investigation by Moldovan and Ukrainian police against Russian mercenaries from private military companies Wagner and Redut. Within this phase, 654 individuals suspected of war crimes committed during the Russian aggression in Ukraine have been identified.

Among the suspects are citizens of Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are believed to have committed grave breaches of international humanitarian law, including sexual violence, and the execution of prisoners of war and civilians.

During the investigation, 70 houses were searched in Moldova and Ukraine, resulting in the seizure of firearms and bladed weapons, ammunition, Wagner uniforms and insignia, and electronic equipment. Europol's EU Internet Referral Unit and International Criminality Team assisted in collecting video and photographic evidence indicating the participation of foreign nationals in hostilities in Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ukrainian authorities, through Europol's secure channels, shared 280 names of foreign nationals suspected of participating in combat operations. National authorities have mapped command structures, identified recruitment and training sites, and documented war crimes, including the use of prohibited weapons and attacks on Ukrainian cities.

To date, 11 Ukrainian citizens have been charged with high treason for joining the Wagner and Redut formations.