Russian President Putin swiftly denounced the actions of the Wagner group, labeling them as a “betrayal.” Amidst negotiations for immunity, Prigozhin redirected his forces to Belarus.
Who is Andrei Troshev?
Andrei Troshev is known as a brutal military commander. He was active in Syria where he played a pivotal role in liberating the ancient town of Palmyra from the clutches of the Islamic State. And he was named as a Hero of the Russian Federation.
His experience as a veteran of the Soviet-Afghan war and Russia’s conflicts in Chechnya further solidified his credentials.
Known for his strong personality, Troshev often clashed with Russian army commanders. And in echoes of Prigozhin, he allegedly demanded more artillery shells for his troops.
After leaving the army, he joined the Russian riot police, known as Omon, where he participated in quelling anti-government protests.
Troshev’s involvement with Wagner extended to Ukraine, specifically in Bakhmut, where he played a more covert role. And he has recently been identified as the second in command of Wagner.
