Redut

According to Norwegian researchers from the Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt - FFI (Norwegian Defence Research Establishment), Redut-Antiterror emerged in 2008 from the PMSC Antiterror-Orel, which was founded in 2003 by members of the Russian Special Forces.[23] It is an affiliate or former branch of the Antiterror-Orel offshoot Tiger Top Rent Security[24] and primarily recruits soldiers of the Russian 45th Guards Special Reconnaissance Brigade.[25] Until 2022, Redut mainly offered the protection of Russian convoys and corporate real estate—including oil production facilities, military installations and Russian diplomats in many countries worldwide, for example of Gennady Timchenko's JSC Stroytransgaz facilities in Syria during the Syrian civil war.[25] It also provided military training and advisors for e.g. pro-Russian Abkhazian forces during the Russo-Georgian War.[26]

For 2022 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Redut was planned to be a major competitor for the Russian MoD in the PMC scene, which is in conflict with the Wagner Group. Plans were organized by the deputy head of the GRU (Russian intelligence), General Vladimir Alexeyev, who made Anatoly Karaziy, a relative of his, head of it. Redut recruited many former Wagner members and Special Forces, totalling several thousands in January 2022, which angered Wagner head Prigozhin. The same month, he was invited to the office on Khoroshevskoye Highway. At first Prigozhin told Alexeyev that if Karaziy did not stop recruiting Wagnerites for Redut, Prigozhin would kill Karaziy. In response to this, Alexeyev allegedly invited Prigozhin to go to another office, where Karaziy was already waiting for him, who offered to sort it out on the spot. According to the source, Prigozhin was taken aback and began to say that he was misunderstood, and later retreated.[1][27] Alexeyev said that it was the Redut that was to play a decisive role in the first days of the invasion. According to one of the sources, it included a group that was supposed to kill Zelensky on the day of the invasion in the Kyiv offensive. Alexeyev himself was engaged not only in the military part, but also in the political one—he had to organize the transfer of power to new hands and negotiated this with Ukrainian politicians, for example with Azarov. Many of the plans of the GRU turned out to be known in advance to the Western and Ukrainian special services. In the Kyiv offensive, Redut sustained heavy losses in which the fighting force was compromised by up to 90%, which practically eliminated the Redut PMC, leaving Prigozhin's Wagner Group to dominate the scene.[1][27] After this event, remaining Redut contractors got invited to their base in Kubinka and were offered contracts by the Russian MoD, to serve officially in the Russian Armed Forces. As claimed by one of Redut's former commanders, that is why Redut is completely controlled and effectively rebuilt by the Russian MoD.[6][7]

Despite the heavy casualties, Redut PMC grew sharply to around 7000 soldiers in 2023.[11] After the failed Wagner coup attempt, the MoD tried to dissolve the Wagner Group, by absorbing, eliminating or taking over parts of Wagner.[28] Redut, along Convoy,[29][30] play key roles, by directly profiting of these actions as a government controlled entities.[31] Experts assessed that Redut likely possesses the capabilities and intent[32] to take over operations of its rival Wagner in Syria and other countries after the likely decapitation of Wagner's leadership,[33][34] although noting that it doesn't have the same niveau of fighting experience in comparison.[35] Others saw a pro-MoD rebranding of Wagner as more likely.[36] In July, Wagner mercenaries in Syria and Ukraine were offered to move to Redut, which is in active competition with Wagner.[37] In August, ISW reported that efforts to dissolve Wagner partially succeeded, with two high-ranking Wagner representatives and commanders, namely Andrey "Sedoy" ("Grey" – ed.) Troshev and Vadim V. (alias: "Khrustal"), defecting to Redut—as claimed by the MoD and other Wagner commanders, denied by some Wagner insiders.[38] Furthermore, the Russian MoD is apparently using them to recruit Wagner personell under the promise of new missions in Africa.[31] Shortly before the alleged death of Wagner founders Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin, Redut began preparation to enter Africa, focusing recruitment efforts on this area.[39] iStories found posts on social networks urging people to join Redut with this message: "Wagner is in the past. If you are really interested in real work in Africa, the Ministry of Defence and PMC Redut is your choice!".[29] According to Mark Galeotti, director of Mayak Intelligence, Redut has emerged as the main Russian PMC and is much more active in Africa and Syria.[40]

According to an investigation by the Russian-language version of RFE/RFL, advertisements for the PMC "Redut" are quite actively placed in Russian social media. Official requirements for application are at least 25 to 45 years of age, military and law enforcement agency experience, no ongoing law enforcement prosecution (expunged convictions, other than for pedophilia, drug distribution, or rape, are accepted) and medical certificates of the absence of tuberculosis (fluorography), hepatitis and HIV. However a member of the formation said that requirements are much lower.[25] It was leaked that representatives of Redut PMC recruit convicts in high-security prisons.[41]

A leaked contract referred to Redut as "RLSPI", which is described as a construction company registered in Rostov-on-Don, without mentioning military service. "RLSPI" is a regional laboratory for socio-psychological research [Unit 35555] under the Russian Ministry of Defense, located in Rostov-on-Don and belonging to the GRU, which is not indicated in the document. Additionally, payments in case of injury, death, and accommodation are specified. Since the annexation of four Ukrainian oblasts, salary is paid in Ruble instead of Dollars, since the territories are not considered foreign anymore.[25]

iStories reported that a journalist of theirs got offered to join the Redut formation "Wolves", to fight in Ukraine, without signing a MoD contract—bypassing the Russian MoD's requirement since July 1 for all volunteer formations participating in the war to have one.[42] This contradicts a statement by State Duma deputy Maxim Ivanov, who assured that PMC "Redut" and its units signed contracts with the Ministry of Defence.[43]

As reported by iStories in October 2023, women are also being recruited into the ranks of Redut's formation "Borz Battalion" now, as snipers and drone operators.[44]

Redut is believed to have a unit called "Don Brigade"[45] (also called "Don and the Union of Donbas Volunteers"), a volunteer detachment with many ethnic Cossack fighters, listed in BARS and linked to the Russian MoD.[46] Contractors are recruited and paid by Redut,[47] which acts as a financial institution. Many of them directly join Redut in special "Don units", while still formally considered part of the "Don Brigade".[48] It consists of the battalion "Terek", with two more in line for recruiting—"Kuban" and "Yenisei".[14]

In early 2023, Gazprom Neft, a subsidiary of Gazprom, was given permission to form a PMSC by the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. According to research by BBC News Russian, organization started in the city of Omsk, under the name "Gazprom Neft Security", led by former high-ranking members of Russia’s Federal Security Service and Internal Affairs Ministry.[49] The three main formations are "Fakel" (Torch), "Potok" (Stream) and "Plamya" (Flame), which are under control of the Russian MoD.[50] Later in April, members of the voluntary Gazprom military formation "Potok" were forced to sign contracts with Redut by the Russian MoD,[51][52][50][53] to fight with "Potok" under the command of Redut.[54]

Logo and Patch of the Redut formation "Veterans"

The "Veterans Battalion" is reported to be part of the Redut PMC,[45] with Redut conducting its recruitment and acting as a financial institution. According to Grey Dynamics, they are estimated to have 2000 fighters, and are mostly deployed for reconnaissance and assault. Contracts can be signed either 6 or 12 months of service, with pay estimates at around £2150 a month, going up depending on experience, performance, and rank. It is being advertised on Social Media such as Telegram, their website, and profits of positive reporting of Russian state TV on it. Required for joining is experience with small arms, 21 to 55 years of age, good physical shape, Russian passport and military identification. They are a well equipped with high quality weaponry, like drones and UAVs, APCs, MBTs, IFVs, logistical vehicles, automatic grenade launchers, mortars and artillery systems. Additionally, they are assessed to have superior training and significant combat experience in comparison to other Russian units, and are said to work effectively with other units. Veterans is known for its distinctive patch showing Putin.[55] According to reports, the 2nd Battalion of the 60th ”Veterans” Separate Air Assault Brigade is operating on one of the Bakhmut flanks.[47]

Sources in the PMC say that there are other formations called "Ilimovtsy", "Hooligans", "Marines", "Axes" and reconnaissance and sabotage detachment "Wolves"—of which drone operator Cpt.-Lt. Matlaev Artem was killed in combat.[5] The "North" formation took heavy losses when engaging in friendly fire in the Kyiv offensive due to poor communication, including the commander of the "North Group" Lt.-Col. Mikheev Ivan Pavlovich ("Sever") †.[4]

Redut is in contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and receives its funding through it.[7] Other major backers of the company are said to be Oleg Deripaska and Gennady Timchenko, according to information provided by the website Gulagu.net founded by Russian dissident Vladimir Osechkin, which cites a Redut deputy commander testifying under cover names. From them, the PMC received armored personnel carriers, helmets, and protective vests.[56][57]

• Ukraine: After conducting reconnaissance beyond the demarcation line in the Donbas on the night of 23 February 2022, Redut-Antiterror was deployed in the Kyiv offensive[7] and took part in the capture of Chernobyl.[41] From there, they were ordered on a covert mission in the Kyiv region to infiltrate and eliminate the political leadership and the Ukrainian Secret Service.[57] From the beginning, Redut also took part in the battle of Donbas—including the battle of Kharkiv,[41] the battle of the Siverskyi Donets[7] and the battle of Balakliia.[60] As of mid-July 2022, two detachments of Redut, each counting 200 fighters, were operating in the Donbas region of Ukraine, both led by former Wagner Group commanders.[7] Per ISW, the Redut formation "Veterans" is operating in the battle of Bakhmut on the flanks of the city.[61] The intelligence firm Grey Dynamics reported that Veterans also conducted offensive operations around Avdiivka, Vuhledar, and around Novoselivske in the Battle of the Svatove–Kreminna line.[55]

There are indications that the organisation provided military advisors and trainers for Abkhazian units in the Russo-Georgian War. It also saw action in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Caribbean countries, the former Yugoslavia, as well as Afghanistan and Indonesia.[62][26][63] Its services included the deployment of snipers, pioneers and guards. Redut formations have been deployed to protect convoys, corporate real estate—including oil production facilities, military installations and Russian diplomats, for example defending JSC Stroytransgaz facilities in Syria.[25] In order to establish itself in the Iraq environment, the company received direct support from the FSB (intelligence).[64]