Russian militia’s plot to kill Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky

Brutal fighters from a Kremlin-backed private militia have reportedly been given the order to sneak into Kyiv to assassinate the Ukraine President.

Mercenaries from a shadowy Russian private militia have reportedly been tasked with assassinating Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Times reports the paramilitary organisation, the Wagner Group, flew in 400 mercenaries from Africa five weeks ago with strict orders to kill Mr Zelensky and hunt down 24 Ukrainian officials, laying the groundwork for Moscow to take control.

The Wagner Group, which is linked to billionaire oligarch and close Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, is believed to work as hired thugs for the Russian president, although the Kremlin denies this.

The private militia has reportedly been tasked with assassinating Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. Picture: AFP

It is believed to have already supplied weapons, personnel and military training to pro-Russian militias in Ukraine.

The Times reported Wagner Group mercenaries had been tracking the Ukrainian officials “for weeks” with “pinpoint accuracy” and were “ready to strike at any time”.

Authorities in Kyiv were alerted of the mission on Saturday and imposed a 36-hour curfew, which has now ended. Citizens in Kyiv were told they risked being shot if they stepped outside their home during the curfew and were mistaken for Russian spies.

The Wagner Group is believed to operate as thugs for hire by Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite the Kremlin denying any connection to it. Picture: Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/AFP

What is the Wagner Group?

The Wagner Group is a private paramilitary group comprised mostly of former Russian soldiers. It is linked to a series of global atrocities in conflicts where Russia had an interest.

While the Kremlin denies is it linked to the group, the man believed to be its leader, billionaire oligarch and former convict Yevgeny Prigozhin, is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It is understood the Kremlin uses the group for brutal action where it needs to maintain deniability.

The shadowy group was believed to have played a role in the 2014 annexation of Crimea and it is said to have fought brutally in support of the Syrian government during Syria’s civil war.

It is linked to atrocities during operations throughout Africa, including Mali, Sudan, Madagascar and Libya, and its fighters have been accused by France and the United Nations of raping and robbing unarmed civilians in the Central African Republic.

Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin is believed to head the Wagner Group.

Prigozhin, who is on the FBI’s most wanted list, is also believed to be behind the Internet Research Agency – the Russian “troll factory” accused of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election in favour of Donald Trump.

He has been nicknamed “Putin’s chef” due to his restaurants having being used to host the Russian president’s meetings with foreign dignitaries.

John Parachini, a senior international defence researcher for the US think tank Rand Corporation, told The Times a mercenary group like the Wagner Group was beneficial to Mr Putin during the Ukraine invasion because it allowed him “deniability”.

“It’s essentially a way for key people affiliated with Putin to turn a profit and extend Russian influence,” he said.

“But because it is not the Russian government, Putin also has deniability.”