International Special Operation “Avengers-2”: Ukrainian Police Exposed 654 Militants of PMCs “Wagner” and “Redut”
More than 70 simultaneous searches are currently underway across Ukraine and Moldova, targeting the residences of suspects and their relatives. The operation aims to identify, document, and prosecute Russian-funded militants who fought against Ukraine.
Investigation Progress
Ukrainian police have successfully identified key elements of the mercenary network, including:
- Recruitment sites for Russian mercenaries
- Training bases and deployment areas
- Command structure and leadership
- Detailed circumstances of participation in hostilities
Investigators have amassed substantial evidence, including documents, video recordings, telephone data, and eyewitness testimonies that confirm war crimes such as the execution of civilians and prisoners of war, as well as the use of prohibited weapons.
Participating Agencies
The operation involves multiple law enforcement and intelligence agencies:
- Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine
- Department of Strategic Investigations
- Department of Criminal Investigation
- Department of Criminal Analysis
- Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
- Police of the Republic of Moldova
Procedural oversight is provided by prosecutors from the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine and the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases of the Republic of Moldova.
Europol coordinates the operation through its Virtual Command Post, enabling real-time information exchange, evidence sharing, and search result dissemination among all participating countries.
Evidence Seized
Authorities have confiscated significant evidence, including:
- Uniforms and chevrons bearing Wagner PMC symbols
- Mobile phones containing messenger correspondence
- Photo and video materials documenting participation in hostilities in Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Firearms, edged weapons, and ammunition (seized in Moldova)
Criminal Charges
Following the searches, investigators have filed eleven charges against Ukrainian citizens who defected to the enemy during martial law and participated in combat operations with Wagner and Redut PMCs against Ukrainian forces.
Charges: High treason under Part 2, Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine
Potential Sentence: 15 years to life imprisonment with property confiscation
These individuals face immediate detention and extradition if they return to Ukraine or enter any state that recognizes Russian PMCs as terrorist organizations.
International Cooperation
Through the Department of International Police Cooperation, Europol’s SIENA channel, and Interpol, Ukrainian authorities have shared information on more than 280 foreign mercenaries who fought against Ukraine with law enforcement agencies in multiple countries, including:
- Azerbaijan
- Armenia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Moldova
- Kazakhstan
- Uzbekistan
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
In most of these jurisdictions, mercenary activity carries sentences ranging from 5 to 15 years of imprisonment, with life imprisonment possible in certain cases. These crimes fall under universal jurisdiction, allowing prosecution in any country where suspects are located.
Concrete Results
The international cooperation has already produced tangible outcomes:
January 4, 2025: A Kazakh citizen and former Wagner PMC mercenary was detained at the US-Mexico border. Ukrainian police provided American law enforcement with comprehensive evidence of his involvement with Wagner PMC, officially designated as a terrorist organization in the United States.
June 17, 2025: Finnish authorities detained an active Wagner PMC member who personally participated in assaults on Soledar and Bakhmut.
Landmark Prosecution: Ukrainian law enforcement successfully prosecuted a foreign national for the first time under Article 447 (mercenary activity) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The Moldovan citizen participated in the capture and destruction of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, as part of Wagner PMC and received both Wagner medals and a state award from the Russian Federation.
Actions in Moldova
Investigative operations in Moldova have identified 25 Moldovan citizens who participated in Wagner PMC hostilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
17 citizens: Procedures underway to declare them wanted
8 citizens: Procedural documents prepared for formal notification of suspicion under Article 141, paragraph 1, of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova (mercenary participation in armed conflict or military operations aimed at overthrowing constitutional order or violating territorial integrity).
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