Three years after the death of its founder, the Wagner Group did not disappear. It reorganized as Africa Corps, took control of some gold mines and built a tramadol trafficking empire in the Central African Republic. At the same time, the remains of its network of influence have begun to infiltrate Europe, according to analyzes by Western intelligence services.

(Staff: Russia & African / Geopolitics & Security)

Three years have passed since the death of Evgheni Prigojin, the founder of the Wagner group, in a mysterious plane crash. At the time, many analysts were predicting the disappearance of the world’s most famous private military company. In reality, however, the structure transformed, reinvented and survived – even expanded. Moreover, recent investigations show that the Wagner network has diversified its funding sources, turning into a complex actor, acting on the border between the Russian state, organized crime and private economic interests.

From Private Military Company to Kremlin Tool

Established around 2014, the Wagner Group was initially involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Over time, it expanded its operations to Syria, Libya and especially to Africa, where it became the main instrument of Russian influence. After Prigojin’s failed rebellion in 2023 and his death, the Kremlin took direct control of Wagner structures. Officially, the group was disbanded, but its activities were taken over by Africa Corps, a new entity integrated into the structures of the Russian Ministry of Defense. However, this rebranding did not mean the end of the Russian presence in Africa, but rather a deeper professionalization and integration into the Russian state apparatus.

The Wagner Empire in Africa: Gold, Diamonds and a Traffic of Millions of Dollars

Today, the former Wagner group has control over some gold and diamond mines in the Central African Republic, and its remains have created a real drug empire, based mainly on the trafficking of tramadol, a powerful opioid. Annual profits from this activity are estimated at approximately $180 million. In addition, the group actively recruits thousands of young Africans, sometimes directly from prisons, to be deployed in conflict zones such as Ukraine or Mali.

Despite the rebranding, the Africa Corps is accused of the same brutal methods as its predecessor. In early July 2026, the Africa Corps forces were involved in an operation in the center of Malí, as a result of which they killed at least 22 civilians. The Human Rights Watch organization has officially accused this war crimes structure.

Wagner Network is expanding in Europe

In addition to activities in Africa, there is evidence that the Wagner Group’s network of influence has also begun to enter Europe. The Financial Times publication, citing sources from Western intelligence services, reported that certain segments of the network have turned toward influential operations and covert actions on the European continent. Also, members of the group were identified on board some ships from the Russian “shadow fleet” that transit the English Channel, having the role of ensuring their security.

Conclusion

The Wagner Group, in its current form, is more than just a private military company. It is a flexible instrument of the Russian state, capable of operating in gray areas, where the official intervention of the army would be problematic. Although it is not a superpower in the classical sense of the term, its influence is especially significant in Africa and is starting to be felt in Europe as well. Its transformation into an empire of drugs and natural resources demonstrates remarkable adaptability and raises serious questions about the control that the Kremlin can exert over its own instruments.