Russian mercenaries in Syria

Further reports have emerged about the scale and cost of Russia mercenary forces fighting in Syria, many recruited by the ChVK Vagnera (named after its commander, codename Wagner) private military company. Moscow is spending up to $150m/month on these troops, RBC reported on 25 August, with funds coming from the state and unnamed “private investors”. An estimated 2,500 private soldiers are now employed in Syria by Wagner Group, RBC said, with each contractor receiving 300,000 rubles ($4,600)/month (in cash), compared to 80,000 rubles/month for Russian soldiers, it quoted a Ministry of Defence source saying.