THE RISE OF PMC REDUT: A New Force in Private Security

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Since the fall of Wagner PMC, a new contender has emerged on the scene in the form of PMC Redut. Originally established as a private security company, Redut had found its niche in defending the interests of various oligarchs across Africa and the Middle East. One of its most notable clients is Gennady Timchenko, a prominent figure suspected to back the mercenary group financially.

In this blog post, we will delve into the world of PMC Redut: its origins, recruitment process, and the conflicts it has been involved in. We will also address the question of whether PMC Redut is poised to take the reins from PMC Wagner.

ESTABLISHED AND CONTROLLED BY THE GRU

PMC Redut was founded in 2008 by a group of seasoned veterans from the 106th Airborne Division, 56th Airborne Battalion, 173rd Special Forces, and 2nd GRU Special Forces Brigade. The name "Redut," meaning "Redoubt," underscores its military nature—a fortress designed to repel enemy attacks and facilitate combat operations. Redut's mercenaries have been battle-tested in conflicts spanning Afghanistan, Iraq, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and even in combat operations in Africa and Indonesia. Additionally, they established a specialized naval forces group that aided European companies in hostage rescue missions off the coast of the Horn of Africa.

PMC Redut is not a singular entity; rather, it serves as an umbrella for various regiments. These formations includes Russian military specialists from special and airborne forces, as well as hired mercenaries, convicts from high-security prisons, and former Wagner members. They are poised to fill the void left by the collapse of PMC Wagner's leadership, following the demise of its leaders, Evgeniy Prighozin and Dmitry Utkin. PMC Redut may well become the Kremlin's next essential instrument for both hybrid and conventional warfare.

Moreover, PMC Redut relies on funding from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD), ensuring unwavering loyalty. The Russian Military Intelligence provides them with ammunition, funding, but still allows them a substantial degree of autonomy.

Redut have been sent to fight in Ukraine. 

CREATED FOR TIMCHENKO'S SECURITY

The origins of PMC Redut are closely intertwined with the prominent Russian oligarch, Gennady Timchenko. Initially founded to safeguard Timchenko's corporate interests, the organization underwent a significant transformation and evolved into a private military company, presently stationed within the territory of the 16th brigade of the GRU Forces in the Tambov region. The day-to-day operations of PMC Redut are under the watchful oversight of Anatoly Karaziy, who was appointed to this position by General Vladimir Alexeyev, the first deputy head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (GRU) in 2011.

Gennady Nikolayevich Timchenko, born in November 1972 in Armenia, is a prominent Russian oligarch known for founding and owning the private investment firm Volga Group. His close personal relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which dates back to the early 1990s, is noteworthy. In 1994, Putin granted Timchenko an oil export license, an event that led to the establishment of the oil export company Gunvor.

Timchenko has faced sanctions from the United States, primarily in response to Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea. Additionally, the United Kingdom imposed further sanctions on him following Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Timchenko holds citizenship in three countries: Russia, Armenia, and Finland.

In financial terms, Gennady Timchenko is an immensely affluent individual, with an estimated fortune exceeding 10 billion USD. He ranks as the sixth wealthiest individual in Russia and was listed at the 205th position on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

FIGHTING IN UKRAINE

Redut's involvement extended to Ukraine as they entered through Belarus at the start of the invasion, in March 2022. Specifically, they came around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Their mission allegedly included seizing control of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) building and targeting the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

This offensive involved over 1,000 soldiers, with Wagner entering from one side and Redut from the other. However, critical intelligence leaks, known in advance to Western and Ukrainian forces, led to substantial losses, with fighting units suffering losses of up to 90%. 

This posed a severe threat to the PMC's survival, compelling the remaining survivors to sign contracts with the Russian MOD, officially becoming part of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

RECRUITMENT PRACTICES 

A comprehensive investigation conducted by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has brought to light significant revelations regarding the recruitment and operational practices of PMC Redut. The private military company has been observed openly soliciting prospective members through Russian social media platforms. 

Their recruitment criteria, as stated, appear rigorous, targeting individuals aged 25 to 45 who are in excellent physical condition and possess medical certifications confirming the absence of tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV. Additionally, preferred candidates are those with a background in law enforcement or military service, and they should not be subject to ongoing prosecutions. However, a whistleblower from within the mercenary group has raised doubts regarding the accuracy of these requirements, suggesting that the actual standards may be considerably more lenient. 

Notably, PMC Redut's leadership has also been known to enlist individuals with criminal records from high-security prisons, a practice that closely mirrors the recruitment tactics of the infamous Wagner PMC.

A leaked contract further exposes the clandestine nature of Redut's operations. The contract, under the guise of RLSPI, a seemingly innocuous construction company registered in Rostov-on-Don, makes no reference to the military role of the organization. Despite being affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense and operating as a regional laboratory for socio-psychological research under the purview of the GRU, this vital connection is intentionally omitted from the contractual documentation. Notably, the contract contains provisions addressing compensation in the event of injury or death, as well as details regarding accommodations. However, it's worth mentioning that the compensation is provided in rubles, not dollars, rendering the offers less attractive to potential recruits.

The payment structure outlined in the contract raises additional concerns. In the case of injuries, individuals are promised a compensation of 40,000 USD, while the compensation for death amounts to 60,000 USD. The monthly salary is modest, approximately 2,000 USD. This arrangement appears to be a deliberate strategy employed by Russia to evade any financial obligations to the families of these fighters, as the individuals are not officially recognized as Russian soldiers, thus circumventing the customary support provided to the families of servicemen.

MEMBERS CONVICTED OF WAR CRIMES

Redut's fighters have faced prosecution and convictions for war crimes committed in Ukraine, predominantly related to the torture and abuse of captured individuals. Their tactics involve abducting victims for interrogations, followed by starvation and physical abuse. Some victims were found with bags over their heads and bound hands, while others were confined in pits for days without sustenance. Mercenaries routinely threatened victims with dismemberment if they failed to cooperate. Notably, Ruslan Kolesnikov and Mikhail Ivanov are among the convicted Redut mercenaries.

Redut mercenaries awaiting sentencing in Ukraine for war crimes, they got up to 11 years each in prison.

CONCLUSION

In the current global context, Russian mercenary groups play a pivotal role in supporting the Russian military and bridging capability gaps. These mercenaries, while skilled in combat, prioritize financial gain over moral values, often resorting to ruthless tactics such as torture and abuse to extract information quickly. Their ranks consist of a diverse range of individuals, from former convicts to ex-military veterans, drawn by the allure of high pay and opportunities in less perilous regions like Africa and the Middle East.

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