Recently, some information and images have been published claiming that the mercenary group "Wagner" is present in the north.
The Israeli company “Terror Alarm”, through a tweet on Twitter on Monday (29 May) evening, said that “the Wagner terrorist group has left for Kosovo”. According to “Terror Alarm”, the information was provided by OpenSource Intelligence, namely by monitoring the PMC Wagner channel on Telegram. (here)
The media has also published several images of masked people and members wearing T-shirts with the "Z" symbol, claiming that this symbol characterizes the Russian mercenary group Wagner. (here)
In an interview with the Italian newspaper "La Reppublica", KFOR Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia stated that there is no evidence of the presence of the "Wagner" group in the north.
"There is no evidence of the presence of Wagner brigades in these areas (northern part of Kosovo).". (here)
Even before, the existence of the Russian mercenary group "Wagner" in northern Kosovo has often been claimed by Prime Minister Albin Kurti and President Vjosa Osmani, but this has been denied by KFOR and diplomats.
Claims of state officials
Allegations about the existence of the "Wagner" group in the north have been circulating in the media and public and political discourse in Kosovo for some time.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti had mentioned the presence of the 'Wagner' group in the north in public statements. In an interview with Al Jazeera in January of this year, Kurti had stated that the groups "Wagner and the Night Wolves" were present during the tensions. But when the journalist asked him for details and facts about the exact presence of the "Wagner" group, he had replied.
“They came to the borders of Kosovo. And it is difficult for us to know where some of the photos were taken, because they are in villages (rural areas). Therefore it is difficult to know where these armed groups were filmed. However, many people who are in illegal structures and on barricades until recently, have many photos together with the “Night Wolves” and members of the “Wagner” group.” (here)
At the same time, Kurti gave an interview to the Dutch media, saying that there is evidence proving the presence of the Russian mercenary group "Wagner".
“He calls the protests in the north “inauthentic.” “People are being brought in by bus from Serbia to man the barricades. We have evidence that these are people masked with the insignia of the Russian Wagner militia, the Night Wolves (a Russian motorcycle gang loyal to Putin) and the so-called Northern Brigade.” Kurti says he cannot share this evidence because “the position from which the photos and videos were taken could reveal our sources.” (here)
Kurti also spoke about the presence of the "Wagner" group in the Austrian media outlet "Die Presse", where he said that people with signs of the Russian mercenary group were seen.
"On our border and in the north of our country, we saw people with signs of the Russian nationalist motorcycle gang 'Night Wolves' and the Russian mercenary troupe 'Wagner'. (here)
Prime Minister Kurti, in February of this year, stated to "France 24" that, around Kosovo, there are 48 operational bases, some of them soldiers from Russia's Wagner Group, and others from the "Night Wolves".
"Serbia has become more aggressive towards Kosovo after the Russian invasion [in Ukraine]. There are 48 operational bases around Kosovo, 28 of them military bases and 20 gendarmerie, where Wagner mercenaries and the Night Wolves have been seen." (here)
In January of this year, President Osmani also spoke about the mercenary group "Wagner" in interviews given to international media. In an interview given to the Italian media outlet "Corriere Della Sera", Osmani said that there is cooperation between Serbia and the "Wagner" group to create tensions in the north.
"R'Russia wants to shift the West's attention to the Western Balkans, to distract it from Ukraine. And Serbia threatens its security by using forces that cooperate with the Wagner Group, buy Russian weapons and send paramilitaries to northern Kosovo to set up barricades and create tensions.' (here)
When asked about the evidence, she replied that this is classified information and I cannot provide details.
""I can't give details because it's classified information. But we are working with our Western allies to ensure that these Wagner-linked paramilitaries fail in their plan to destabilize Kosovo." (here)
President Osmani in February of this year, in an interview with "The Telegraph", claimed that Belgrade is continuing to incite tensions in the region, in collaboration with the "Wagner" group.
"There is clear evidence that Serbian paramilitary groups planned and organized this (with Wagner). Whether they were on the border or inside (Kosovo territory), this is a matter that is still being investigated.". (here)
In April of this year (2023), President Osmani also stated to the British media outlet "The Sun" that "Serbian armed groups have cooperation with the mercenary group 'Wagner'". (here)
The position of international officials and KFOR
Following statements made in January and February of this year by Kosovo state officials regarding the presence of the "Wagner" mercenary group, KFOR also made statements.
Asked if there is a presence of notorious Russian groups, based on Prime Minister Kurti's statements, KFOR Commander Antonio Ristuccia said that there is currently no evidence of such a presence.
"At the moment, we have no evidence of what you are referring to. We have no information about this. But, we are closely following the development of the situation.". (here)
In an interview given to the media, the British ambassador to Kosovo, Nicholas Abbott, stated that there is no evidence of the presence of the "Wagner" group in the north.
"I have no information that the Wagner group was in the north. I mean, I think there's a lot of talk about that. There's no evidence of that. In a way, it might be wishful thinking to try to increase tension." (here)