The #Wagner Group reportedly opened at least three new recruitment centers at sports clubs in #Russia between March 2-4, possibly to augment #WagnerGroup’s recruitment base after losing access to prisoner recruits. http://isw.pub/UkrWar03042023

2/ The #Wagner Group reportedly opened at least three new recruiting centers collocated with Russian sporting clubs since #WagnerGroup financier Yevgeny #Prigozhin officially announced that Wagner launched recruiting efforts through sports clubs in #Russia on March 2.

3/ The new #Wagner recruiting centers are reportedly based at the “Dynamo” sports facility in Samara, the “Antares” Sports Club in Rostov, and the #Russian Boxing Federation building in Tyumen.

4/ This effort may seek to offset decreases in #Wagner recruitment after the #WagnerGroup reportedly lost access to recruiting prisoners in early 2023.

5/ #Prigozhin insinuated on March 3 that #Russian government officials barred the #Wagner Group from recruiting prisoners—just as the Russian Ministry of Defense sabotaged #WagnerGroup forces’ ammunition supplies. http://isw.pub/UkrWar03042023