The group started its operations in Syria in 2015 and remains there to this day, allegedly to protect Syrian oil fields and phosphate mines for the Syrian regime. These efforts were focused on Syria, Russia’s foothold in the Mediterranean region and the original launchpad for Wagner. The group started its operations in Syria in 2015 and remains there to this day, allegedly to protect Syrian oil fields and phosphate mines for the Syrian regime. As the mutiny unfolded, at least four high-ranking Wagner mercenaries were rounded up by Russian military police and Syrian intelligence services at the Russian-operated Hmeimim air base in western Syria. He reportedly asked the Syrian government not to let Wagner fighters leave the country.
