Although he is consistently denying the allegations, the ‘Wagner Group’ is widely believed to be funded by Evgeny Prigozhin, a powerful businessman with strong ties to Vladimir Putin, sanctioned by the U.S. for his alleged — and, again, never acknowledged — involvement in the 2016 presidential elections. 
Ingawa mfanyabiashara mashuri Evgeny Prigozhin amabye ana mahusiano makubwa na Vladimir Putin anahusishwa na kulidhamini kikundi hicho cha ‘Wagner Group’ ingawa yeye amekanusha madai hayo mara nyingi. Kutokana na madai hayo Evgeny Prigozhin aliwekewa vikwazo na Marekani vya kutoshiriki katika uchaguzi wa Rais wa mwaka 2016— hata hivyo hakukubali.