Author John Lechner talks about his powerful new book, Death Is Our Business, a definitive investigation into Russia’s notorious private military company, the Wagner Group. With firsthand accounts, OSINT research, and a historian’s depth, Lechner traces Wagner’s evolution from covert operators in Ukraine to global players in Syria, Africa, and beyond.
The book opens with “Soldiers,” detailing Wagner’s early operations in Eastern Ukraine. The group’s early adoption of hybrid warfare tactics positioned Wagner as a deniable but essential extension of Russian force projection. Lechner highlights Wagner recruits—ex-soldiers, nationalists, and opportunists drawn to war by a mix of belief, desperation, and the promise of belonging.
In “Oil Men,” Lechner shifts focus to Wagner’s economic logic. From Syrian gas fields to African gold mines, Wagner leveraged military victories into lucrative contracts. The group effectively bankrolled itself through resource extraction deals, revealing how war and profit became indistinguishable in modern mercenary operations.
“Diplomats” explores Wagner’s expansion into the political sphere, particularly in fragile African states. Wagner’s combination of intimidation, diplomacy, and military threat reveals a new kind of state actor: both official and deniable.
In “Mercenaries,”The chapter compares Wagner to other modern paramilitary forces and underscores the absence of clear international frameworks for accountability. Wagner’s involvement in human rights abuses and alleged war crimes raise urgent legal and ethical questions about the future of privatized warfare.
“Liberators” looks at Wagner’s self-image. The group often justified its operations in Africa and the Middle East as counter-terrorism or anti-insurgency efforts. But beneath the liberation narrative, Lechner uncovers a darker story of extrajudicial killings, systemic abuse, and economic exploitation.
In “Heroes,” we get a rare look inside Wagner’s culture. Through interviews and leaked materials, Lechner reveals the motivations behind joining Wagner: nationalism, anti-Western sentiment, pay, and the desire for camaraderie. The chapter explores Wagner’s internal mythmaking—how it crafts a heroic, loyalist identity for its fighters.
“Traitors” Lechner chronicles the chaos, the confrontation with Moscow, and the fallout—including Prigozhin’s mysterious death in a plane crash. The group’s fate now remains in flux, with its remnants either disbanded or absorbed into Russia’s formal military apparatus.
In the Conclusion, Lechner reflects on what Wagner means for the future. Private military companies are no longer niche actors—they are shaping the modern battlefield.
Death is Our Business, John Lechner
My Substack:
The Rise, Fall and Legacy of a Transactional Army
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