John Lechner

So when Marat first came in in April 2015, I think it was getting close to about 600 guys. He can correct me if I'm wrong. And Marat was coming in in April 2015. So this is right around the time... that Russia is actually trying to sort of get to a ceasefire and take over these separatist republics at the time. And so when Marat joined, Wagner was a bit different at the time.

It was one of many different forces that the MOD was using to support these separatists, and no one thought that it was going to become what it became. And so it was one of several units that were kind of figuring out ways to bring volunteers in to support the separatists. And Wagner at that time had

It was one of many different forces that the MOD was using to support these separatists, and no one thought that it was going to become what it became. And so it was one of several units that were kind of figuring out ways to bring volunteers in to support the separatists. And Wagner at that time had

It was one of many different forces that the MOD was using to support these separatists, and no one thought that it was going to become what it became. And so it was one of several units that were kind of figuring out ways to bring volunteers in to support the separatists. And Wagner at that time had

this group of 50 guys or so who had been in Syria, but they also had a unit of Serbian volunteers that were coming through. And so when Murat joined, he was initially part of the international brigade, which was largely Serbian and he had a Serbian commander. Eventually the Serbs would be kind of kicked out, kicked by the wayside later on when we got to Syria.

this group of 50 guys or so who had been in Syria, but they also had a unit of Serbian volunteers that were coming through. And so when Murat joined, he was initially part of the international brigade, which was largely Serbian and he had a Serbian commander. Eventually the Serbs would be kind of kicked out, kicked by the wayside later on when we got to Syria.

this group of 50 guys or so who had been in Syria, but they also had a unit of Serbian volunteers that were coming through. And so when Murat joined, he was initially part of the international brigade, which was largely Serbian and he had a Serbian commander. Eventually the Serbs would be kind of kicked out, kicked by the wayside later on when we got to Syria.

But when Murad joined, it was a few months before some of the final big battles, before we saw what was called the Minsk II ceasefire between Ukraine and the separatist statelets backed by Russia at the time. Okay, okay.

But when Murad joined, it was a few months before some of the final big battles, before we saw what was called the Minsk II ceasefire between Ukraine and the separatist statelets backed by Russia at the time. Okay, okay.

But when Murad joined, it was a few months before some of the final big battles, before we saw what was called the Minsk II ceasefire between Ukraine and the separatist statelets backed by Russia at the time. Okay, okay.

So they, uh, the, I think Wagner at the beginning, and I think this, what Murat will tell you was, uh, for the most part, uh, guys who had military experience like Murat, uh, guys who had trouble adjusting to civilian life and in some shape or form and, and wanted to experience the adventure and camaraderie again, uh,

So they, uh, the, I think Wagner at the beginning, and I think this, what Murat will tell you was, uh, for the most part, uh, guys who had military experience like Murat, uh, guys who had trouble adjusting to civilian life and in some shape or form and, and wanted to experience the adventure and camaraderie again, uh,

So they, uh, the, I think Wagner at the beginning, and I think this, what Murat will tell you was, uh, for the most part, uh, guys who had military experience like Murat, uh, guys who had trouble adjusting to civilian life and in some shape or form and, and wanted to experience the adventure and camaraderie again, uh,

And largely through word of mouth were recruited to the company when they found out there was this opportunity in Ukraine or eventually later on in Syria and elsewhere. And so for the most part, it was guys coming out of the military. Maybe they had a brush with the law, like Murad had, to put it lightly.

And largely through word of mouth were recruited to the company when they found out there was this opportunity in Ukraine or eventually later on in Syria and elsewhere. And so for the most part, it was guys coming out of the military. Maybe they had a brush with the law, like Murad had, to put it lightly.

And largely through word of mouth were recruited to the company when they found out there was this opportunity in Ukraine or eventually later on in Syria and elsewhere. And so for the most part, it was guys coming out of the military. Maybe they had a brush with the law, like Murad had, to put it lightly.

But the full convict recruitment program, where if you saw the videos of Prigozhin going around to all of the penal colonies and recruiting prisoners, that only happened after 2022 for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Okay. So there were definitely dudes who had served prison time, got out, and then joined Wagner. But they weren't recruiting from the prisons at that time.

But the full convict recruitment program, where if you saw the videos of Prigozhin going around to all of the penal colonies and recruiting prisoners, that only happened after 2022 for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Okay. So there were definitely dudes who had served prison time, got out, and then joined Wagner. But they weren't recruiting from the prisons at that time.

But the full convict recruitment program, where if you saw the videos of Prigozhin going around to all of the penal colonies and recruiting prisoners, that only happened after 2022 for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Okay. So there were definitely dudes who had served prison time, got out, and then joined Wagner. But they weren't recruiting from the prisons at that time.

It was really, I mean, if I remember correctly, Marat's, it was Marat's buddy from his military times who recruited him just by word of mouth. He said, hey, I'm doing this. Do you want to join? Yeah.