The Wagner Group began as a shadowy Russian private military company, founded under the leadership of Yevgeny Prigozhin and closely tied to the Kremlin. Its origins are rooted in the need for a deniable force to advance Russian interests in conflicts where direct military involvement posed political risks. Wagner's operations expanded from Ukraine and Syria to Africa, notably in Mali and the Central African Republic, where it traded security services for access to mineral wealth. Its methods, marked by brutality and numerous allegations of human rights abuses, have left a devastating impact on civilian populations and fueled instability in conflict zones.