Malian armed forces, the Russia-backed Wagner Group and jihadi groups deliberately killed civilians and burned homes in Mali according to Human Rights Watch.
According to a new report, the Wagner Group has laundered some $2.5 billion to Russia since its full scale invasion of Ukraine last year, in an effort to support the war effort.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says hand grenade fragments were found in the bodies of people who died in the Aug. 23 crash of mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's plane.
The Kremlin is dismissing allegations that Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind the apparent death of Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group, appeared on the passenger list of a business jet that crashed Wednesday in Russia. Beyond that, little is clear.
A jet from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed, killing all 10 people on board, officials said. Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the passenger list, officials said, but it wasn't clear if he was on board.
The Kremlin says the Russian leader met Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin and nearly three dozen of his mercenary commanders for talks in Moscow late last month.
That's in contrast to the deal worked out after the failed uprising last month. The Kremlin had said the Wagner group leader would be exiled to neighboring Belarus but would not face charges.
In a brief five-minute speech, Putin seemed to reaffirm a deal he reached to end the conflict, which resulted in Wagner Group commander Yevgeny Prigozhin being exiled to Belarus.
Russians who fled to Turkey after their country invaded Ukraine worry that Russian President Vladimir Putin may increase repressive measures that will affect their loved ones back home.
The fate of the private military company is unclear, especially after it was credited with delivering Russia recent gains in the country's war against Ukraine.
Yevgeny Prigozhin posted a message on social media claiming Wagner troops have agreed to stand down and return to bases. The Kremlin said the criminal case against Prigozhin will be dropped.