The so-called Wagner PMC almost certainly now controls up to 50,000 fighters in Ukraine and is a key component of Russian aggression in Ukraine — British intelligence

The agency notes that on December 27, 2022, the Wagner PMC was officially registered as a legal entity in the Unified State Register of the Russian Federation.  The registry defines the group's activities as "consulting on management issues", without mentioning any military merit.  

"It is not yet clear to what extent the Wagner PMC Center organization will be used to manage Wagner's military activities," the agency writes. 

The intelligence service believes that the registration is probably intended to maximize Prigozhin's commercial benefits and legitimize the organization.