Wagner mutiny exposes dangers of unregulated militias

He claimed that they were encouraged to do this by their superiors in order to intimidate other potential deserters from the Syrian army. He also spoke out about the theft of antiquities, oil, and other crimes committed in Syria.

In addition to Syria, Wagner has also been involved in the conflict in Libya, and there is evidence suggesting their presence in the Central African Republic, Mali, and Sudan. The United Nations and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Wagner due to its involvement in rape, murder, and theft.

Spotlight on group shines even brighter

In the past few months, Wagner has gained more attention because of the war of words exchanged between it and the Russian military over strategies pursued in the war in Ukraine. 

Despite Wagner's history of engaging in crimes and violations for financial gain, its commander, Prigozhin, now claims, following the mediation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the withdrawal of his forces from a position just 200 km away from Moscow, that they came to prevent the bloodshed of Russian soldiers.

Although the Wagner Group's rebellion was mysterious, the deal that ended it was even more so. Russia's reliance on Belarus and Putin's apparent need for Lukashenko's mediation raises questions about Russia's position and calls for a reassessment of its actions.

Rebellion succeeded in making Putin appear weak

However, the rebellion has made Putin appear weak. It is now safe to say that Russia, after the night of 24 June, will never be the same as it was before. The country has yet to fully recover from the shock of recent events, and it may take time for it to regain its stability.

Read more: Putin's private army threatens his survival

Less than 12 hours elapsed between Putin's speech, in which he described the Wagner Group rebellion as "treason" and vowed to pursue its leader, and his subsequent offer to grant Yevgeny Prigozhin personal guarantees to go to Belarus.

Putin must have realised that some officers in his army were supportive of the rebellion when Wagner's forces reached the outskirts of Moscow without any serious opposition.

Russia, a country that has faced sanctions for over two decades due to the policies of its president, continues to hold onto the illusion of being one of the world's two superpowers, despite the suffering endured by its people because of these sanctions.

While Russia may have achieved relative success in countering Western influence in certain regions like Africa and Syria, such behaviour is not becoming of a superpower, which should strive to maintain global stability and peace.

Similarly, Iran has employed cross-border militias in countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, engaging in crimes such as drug trafficking, smuggling, looting, corruption, and committing atrocities.

Read more: Will Wagner mutiny elicit more caution over using mercenaries in the Middle East?

This type of warfare — which relies on irregular military forces that operate outside the boundaries of law and ethics — has become a preferred strategy for countries seeking to foment unrest to enhance their influence and dominance.

Putin's actions have transformed Russia from a partner country in the post-World War II world order into a nation with the weight and size of Iran.

It is unfortunate when a superpower loses its moral compass and becomes a mere entity controlled by individuals obsessed with imperial expansion, even if it means disregarding international law.

The experiences Russia has faced, including the repercussions of Prigozhin's actions, highlight the dangerous nature of these unregulated militias whose behaviour is not governed by any rule or law.