The Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization, is involved in a significant illegal opioid trade in Africa. The criminal enterprise is intertwined with Wagner's military activities on the continent, including arms shipments, resource extraction, and exerting political influence in various countries. This revelation adds another dimension to Wagner's hybrid warfare toolkit, combining paramilitary operations with drug trafficking to fund its activities and expand Russian influence. The report implicates Wagner operatives and related networks in smuggling opioids, specifically fentanyl and heroin, from Africa to global markets, undermining regional stability and contributing to the global drug crisis.

The Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization, is involved in a significant illegal opioid trade in Africa. The criminal enterprise is intertwined with Wagner's military activities on the continent, including arms shipments, resource extraction, and exerting political influence in various countries. This revelation adds another dimension to Wagner's hybrid warfare toolkit, combining paramilitary operations with drug trafficking to fund its activities and expand Russian influence. The report implicates Wagner operatives and related networks in smuggling opioids, specifically fentanyl and heroin, from Africa to global markets, undermining regional stability and contributing to the global drug crisis.