Leaked classified Pentagon documents show that US intelligence agencies were aware that the Wagner Group was trying to buy weapons from NATO member Turkey, The Washington Post reported on April 8, 2023.
Turkish contacts
According to the documents, Wagner personnel met Turkish contacts in early February “to purchase weapons and equipment from Turkey for Wagner’s efforts in Mali and Ukraine,” Turkish Minute reported, citing the Post. One document suggested that Mali could acquire the weapons from Turkey on Wagner’s behalf.
The documents do not show what the Turkish government knew or whether the purchases went ahead. Turkish officials did not immediately comment. Turkey has condemned Russia’s invasion and supplied Ukraine with Bayraktar drones, but has not joined Western sanctions on Russia.
Deep penetration
The leaked files also suggest that US intelligence has deeply penetrated various branches of Russia’s defence and security establishment, giving Washington insight into Moscow’s military planning, the Post reported.
A major leak
The documents, many marked top secret, circulated on social media and messaging platforms including Telegram and Twitter. They include assessments of the war in Ukraine as well as intelligence on US allies. The Pentagon is investigating the leak, and the Justice Department has opened a criminal inquiry.
Ukrainian officials have said some of the documents may have been altered or forged by Russia as part of a disinformation campaign.
Sources
Image note: The featured image was generated by AI based on the content of this article. It is an illustration, not an actual photograph of the people, places or events described.
