Russia's Wagner activities expanding in Libya despite growing Western scrutiny
The Wagner Group has sought to use Libya as a forward base for its activities in the Sahel region, particularly Chad and Niger, while building spheres of influence with local communities and smuggling networks in the southern border regions of Libya.
As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, both the United States and Europe have focused their attention on the Wagner Group, the Russian private military contractor, and its activities in Libya and other parts of Africa.
This scrutiny comes as the United States designated Wagner an international criminal organization in January and is seeking to isolate the group financially and politically. Europe is likely to follow suit, also seeking to increase pressure on Wagner and its backers.
Yet a closer look at the group's operations in Libya indicates it is evolving tactics to adapt to increased Western scrutiny.
Wagner's origins in Libya
