Russia Gets Its First Criminal Gang Made Up of Ex-Wagner Mercs

A criminal gang made up mostly of former Wagner mercenaries has been busted in Russia’s Oryol region for extorting local residents.

The regional branch of the Federal Security Service said Tuesday that four members of the gang obtained three apartments, five vehicles, and millions of rubles in cash by extorting residents “at gunpoint.” According to the well-connected Baza Telegram channel, three of the four members previously served in the Wagner Group. Baza also notes that the group was shaking down locals “in the interests of drug dealers.”

One of the men targeted back in November 2023 is said to have owed money to a drug dealer, so the gang showed up to make him hand it over. He wound up signing over ownership of his Audi A6 since he didn’t have any money, authorities said. A 24-year-old resident then gave the group about $563 the next month when they threatened him with a hunting knife, an ax, and a homemade gun with a silencer, Baza reports.

Read more at The Daily Beast.