OSCE PA condemns Minsk for constructing Wagner Group’s base

July 5, BPN. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) “strongly condemns” the Belarusian government for its permission to build Wagner Group’s military base in Belarus, says its recent resolution.

The move would endanger the entire region, including the Baltic countries, the MPs noted.

On June 23, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin called for an armed rebellion to oust the Russian defense minister. He later halted the mutiny as a result of agreements reached with Alaksandr Łukašenka and other officials.

Vladimir Putin let the mercenary boss go to Belarus. The Belarusian ruler confirmed Prigozhin’s presence in the country on June 27 noting that he would like Wagner mercenaries to share their military experience with Belarusians.

“We offered them one of the abandoned [military unit] bases,” he said. Some online sources suggest that the base will be located near Asipovičy, Mahiloŭ region, accommodating up to 8,000 people. Satellite images confirm that construction work is underway at the site.

Amid fears of Wagner fighters’ arrival in Belarus Ukraine said that it would reinforce its northern areas.