Fewer than 1,000 Russian mercenaries of the Wagner PMC still remain in Belarus. This affects Ukraine and plays into the hands of the Kremlin, according to British intelligence.
"It is highly likely that fewer than 1,000 Russian Wagner mercenaries remain in Belarus. They have been present in the country since June 2023, at which point there were 8,000 Wagner mercenaries. Wagner almost certainly continues to provide training to Belarusian military and security forces," the British Ministry of Defence tweeted.
It added that Wagner mercenaries are "highly unlikely to participate directly in maintaining domestic or border security in Belarus".
According to British intelligence, Alyaksandr Lukashenka is unlikely to use the Wagner mercenaries beyond their current remit.
"The continued presence of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus almost certainly also benefits Russia's war effort by compelling Ukraine to maintain defensive positions and personnel along its northern border with Belarus to protect from potential future incursions," the British intelligence added.