This is the Guardian.

Today what are Russia's secret military operatives doing in Ukraine?

Just a quick heads up before we start.

This episode does contain some descriptions of violence and torture.

Officially they don't exist.

The Kremlin denies any involvement.

But the Vagna Group, a private army of mercenaries backed by a Russian oligarch, are in Ukraine.

And they've reportedly been ordered to assassinate President Volodomir Zelensky.

These highly trained guns for hire are said to be roaming the Ukrainian capital.

In recent days rumors have wildly circulated of roving Russian agents attempting to bring

terror to the streets and plotting a route into Kiev for the Russian tanks.

Military contractors aren't a Russian invention.

South African mercenaries have been deployed around the world and the American firm Black

Water became infamous for its involvement in Iraq.

So I think it's not unique to Russia but what is unique I think is how close Vagna is with

the Russian government.

Reporter Piotr Sauer has been looking into the Vagna Group's unofficial relationship

with the Kremlin.

It's almost hard to call it the private military company when it works alongside the Russian

government.

He's analyzed their missions and interviewed one former operative who wants to let the

world know exactly what it is they do and why.

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