The Verkhovna Rada has passed Resolution #8397 defining the Wagner private military company (PMC) as a transnational criminal organization, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported.

The decision was supported by 333 MPs. The lawmakers also approved Resolution #3735 on the recognition of Russian private military companies as terrorist organizations. It collected 336 votes.

In addition, Wagner could be recognized as a terrorist organization in the UK, Canada and other countries. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has already recognized the Wagner Group as a transnational criminal organization.

The Wagner Group is a network of mercenaries, or a de facto private army of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The group operates beyond the law in Russia, where private military contractors are officially forbidden.

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Since midsummer 2022, businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin has been traveling around Russian colonies and offering prisoners to join the ranks of Wagner, in exchange for a pardon and cash payments. At the same time, according to numerous testimonies, extrajudicial executions are practiced in mercenary units, including for desertion.

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