A Czech Republic resident has sparked outrage by displaying outside her home a flag of the Wagner private military company, whose mercenaries are currently engaged in war crimes against Ukraine as part of Russia’s occupying forces, Czech Radio reported on May 27.
Lucie Brychtova, a Czech citizen, proudly exhibited the flag of the war criminals on her private property, even sharing a photo of it on her Facebook page.
The woman’s social media posts clearly demonstrate her support for the “Russian world” ideology and the fictitious entity known as “Novorossiya.”
The police have initiated an investigation into this incident.
David Chaloupka, spokesperson for the Czech police, confirmed the ongoing investigation, stating, “The police are aware of this case. An investigation is underway. However, premature comments are not appropriate at this time.”
Wagner mercenaries have been actively involved in the conflict in Ukraine since 2014, fighting against the Ukrainian army under Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Established in 2014 by Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close associate of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, the Wagner private military company is reported to receive monthly funding exceeding $100 million from Prigozhin for its operations in Ukraine.
Apart from Ukraine, Wagner PMC mercenaries have reportedly been deployed to other regions, including Syria, Mali, and the Central African Republic.
Recruiters have largely targeted prisoners serving sentences for serious crimes such as murder, grievous bodily harm, robbery, and burglary.
Since the beginning of this year, many Wagner PMC mercenaries have been eliminated in the Battle of Bakhmut.
The recent U.S. assessment of 100,000 Russian losses — including killed and wounded in action, along with deserters and surrendered troops — remains an accurate reflection of the price Moscow has paid in Bakhmut, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said at a press briefing on May 24.
Wagner PMC is under sanctions from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union.
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