Putin's Admission: Russia's Billions to Wagner Group Exposed

President Vladimir Putin revealed that Russia's Wagner private military group received approximately $1 billion in funding from the state over the past year, contradicting previous denials of any links between the Russian state and Wagner. Putin stated that the group's upkeep was fully provided for by the state, with the Defense Ministry and state budget financing the group. He also mentioned that Wagner's owner, Concord, earned an additional 80 billion rubles from catering contracts with the Defense Ministry. Putin hinted at possible law enforcement inspections into Wagner's finances and expressed hope that there was no theft. Wagner fighters have been accused of committing various human rights abuses in their areas of operation.