“Potok” is a volunteer battalion or PMC (Private Military Company), which is participating in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.[1][2][3] According to an investigation by BBC News,[4] Financial Times and other media, "Potok" is associated with Gazprom. Like most other PMCs, it is part of the Russian armed forces.[5]

In addition to Potok, two other PMCs fighting in Ukraine are associated with Gazprom: Fakel and Redut PMC. It is known that Potok joined Redut, a PMC which is also controlled by the Russian MoD.[6][7]

"Potok"[8][9][10] is composed of security officers from the Gazprom corporation, and is assigned to BARS. It is believed that the discipline in "Potok" is less strict than in other parts.[2] Recruitment for Potok and Fakel began in August 2022. Gazprom recruited mainly security guards and other low-skilled employees of state-owned companies, promising attractive conditions of service.[11]

"Potok" took part in the battles near Bakhmut, taking over some of "Wagner's" positions, but abandoned them due to poor preparation and supplies. According to Yevgeny Prigozhin, Gazprom created its own PMC "in order to dilute the Wagner PMC".[1] They were last seen on 17 July 2023 from Yakolivka to Krasnopolivka near Bakhmut.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 ""Хотят помочь остаться у власти Путину". Зачем "Газпром" создает свою ЧВК и будет ли она воевать в Украине – журналист-расследователь". Настоящее Время (in Russian). 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  2. 1 2 ""Поток" под Бахмутом. Что известно о ЧВК, связанных с "Газпромом"". BBC News Русская служба (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  3. ↑ "«Вагнера» поставили на «Поток». Из-за чего поссорились российские силовики?". Новая газета Европа. 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  4. ↑ ""Факел», «Поток» и «Редут» В Украине воюют три ЧВК, связанных с «Газпромом». Главное из расследования «Русской службы Би-би-си"". Meduza (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  5. ↑ "«Нас называли "их там нет"». Как российские миллиардеры поставляют российской армии наемников". istories.media. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  6. ↑ "It's not just Wagner At least three Gazprom-linked private military companies now have fighters in Ukraine". Meduza. 2023-05-16. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10.
  7. ↑ "ISW says competition between Russian PMCs is growing in Bakhmut". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  8. ↑ Идель.Реалии; Крутов, Марк; Добрынин, Сергей (2023-05-19). "Лаборатории смерти. "Частные" армии России будущего". Радио Свобода (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  9. ↑ ""Редут", БАРС, "Дон", "Поток": какие в России действуют ЧВК, кроме "Вагнера", и кто за ними стоит". Настоящее Время (in Russian). 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  10. ↑ "Все говорят о "Вагнере". Но есть и другие российские наемники. Кто они?". euronews (in Russian). 2023-05-17. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  11. ↑ Miller, Christopher; Seddon, Max; Ivanova, Polina (2023-06-02). "'Stream' and 'Torch': the Gazprom-backed militias fighting in Ukraine". Financial Times. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  12. ↑ "CDS Daily brief. 16.07.2023". CDS’s Substack. 2023-07-16. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
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