This book exposes the history and future of the Wagner Group, Russia’s notorious and secretive mercenary army, revealing details of their operations never documented before. Jack Margolin traces the Wagner Group from its roots as a battlefield rumour to a private military enterprise tens of thousands strong. He follows individual commanders and foot soldiers as they fight in Ukraine, Syria and Africa. He shows Wagner mercenaries committing atrocities, plundering oil, diamonds and gold, and changing the course of conflicts in the name of the Kremlin. In documenting the Wagner’s Group’s story up to the dramatic demise of its chief director, Evgeniy Prigozhin, Margolin demonstrates what the Wagner Group represents for not only the future of Putin’s political system, but also the privatization of war.

"A must read."--Clarissa Ward, CNN Chief International Correspondent and author of "On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist" "An important book."--Sean McFate, National Defense University and author of "The New Rules of War" "At once deeply-researched and as readable as a thriller."--Mark Galeotti, author of "Putin's Wars" "Gripping and meticulous."--Jade McGlynn, author of "Russia's War" "This fascinating history . . . is filled with details not reported elsewhere."--Kimberly Marten, Barnard College, Columbia University

Jack Margolin is an independent researcher who has studied private military contractors and Russian criminal networks since 2014. He previously led conflict finance investigations at the Center for Advanced Defense Studies, a non-profit investigating crime and conflict. His investigations have been cited by the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Economist, the Financial Times and Politico. He lives in Washington, DC.