Rising vigilantism in Russia: Wagner Group's mercenary punished by comrades for violent behavior

A video emerged on social media portraying a group of mercenaries assaulting their cohort. The post on platform X details how this act was a response to his aggressive manner and heavy drinking habits.

The situation increasingly paints Russia as a failed state, dominated by "local militias and former mercenaries". This episode saw members from the Wagner Group physically assault a former colleague for "threatening a neighbor with an axe whilst drunk, excessive drinking, and tarnishing the reputation of a private military company" - as stated on platform X.

The video depicts the man lying in the snow. A cluster of soldiers stand over him brandishing sticks. At one point, the men commence to kick and strike him using the sticks.

It's distressing to contemplate what this lowlife would do in Ukraine; those who oppose aiding Ukraine should reconsider, knowing that such thugs may bring danger to your relatives and friends, the farther they are from Poland, the better - as read in the comments section.

This is not an isolated event. According to the "Search for Yours" channel, In early February 2023, members of the Wagner Group allegedly killed one of their leaders. The incident transpired near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region after an unsuccessful attempt to seize Ukrainian positions on the outskirts of the city.

As stated by the Ukrainian channel on Telegram, this was a vigilantism act in reaction to previous maltreatment. The leader was considered very harsh, with disregard for the welfare of the mercenaries. This led to the soldiers rebelling and eventually murdering their superiors with an axe.