Candace Rondeaux:
They're really important for Putin, in terms of diverting attention away from Russian activities in places where they're not supposed to be operating.
They fulfill the role of circumventing sanctions. And they turn to the Wagner Group as the kind of enforcer and sort of mercenary service provider. And, in exchange, they get gold, diamonds, oil, gas, things that are exportable and that can be turned into hard dollars, hard cash, which is extremely important for Russia.
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