The Telegram media channel of the Russian private military corporation Wagner on August 21 posted a short video showing tycoon Yevgeny Prigozhin wearing combat gear, carrying weapons and speaking from a location that appears to be in Africa.
The footage shows the tycoon's back in what appears to be a steppe with trucks carrying gunmen in the distance. In the video , Mr Prigozhin says he is in a place where temperatures are up to 50 degrees Celsius.
"Wagner is carrying out reconnaissance and search operations to make Russia greater on all continents and Africa freer. Justice and happiness for all Africans" – RT quoted the statement of tycoon Prigozhin – "Wagner is pursuing terrorist groups, militants such as the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS), al-Qaeda".
Wagner private military conglomerate boss Yevgeny Prigozhin appears to be in Africa. Photo: Social Network
This was the most public and obvious appearance of boss Prigozhin about 2 months after the Wagner forces failed to rebel in Russia.
"Wagner is recruiting real heroes to continue to complete the tasks that have been set and we are committed to being able to handle them," Mr. Prigozhin added, but did not specify what these tasks were.
Meanwhile, the Daily Beast, citing a source from Ukraine, said that since the failed rebellion in June, the number of Wagner members has decreased from about 5,800 to 4,400.
This is partly because their income has dropped in recent weeks since moving to Belarus.
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