• The UK Home Office has announced that the Russian private military company Wagner, known for its operations in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Africa, will be declared a terrorist organization — a move that has been considered "imminent" since May. Independent (LR: 2 CP: 3)
• Britain's home secretary has the power to proscribe an organization believed to be involved in terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2000, making support for the group a criminal offense that could lead to 14 years in prison. BBC News (LR: 3 CP: 5)
• A draft order to ban the group was set to be laid in parliament on Wednesday to allow assets of those supporting Wagner to be categorized as terrorist property and seized. Daily Mail (LR: 5 CP: 5)
• Once passed, Wagner will be put in the same category as the so-called Islamic State, the Palestinian militant group Hamas, and Northern Ireland paramilitaries. Time (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• The move, which is expected to take effect on Sept. 13, comes as Britain sanctioned individuals and businesses with links to Wagner in Africa in July after punishing the group last year and its late boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in 2020. Reuters (LR: 3 CP: 5)
• Many of Ukraine's other Western allies have imposed sanctions on Wagner and its top leaders, with Lithuania and Estonia also declaring the group a terrorist organization. In January, the US Treasury Dept. designated Wagner a "transnational criminal organization." CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)

Narrative A:

• Designating the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization will allow the UK to bring terrorism charges against its personnel while disrupting the group's financial activity and ability to travel. Additionally, this move serves as a strong reminder to African governments that they may reconsider their relationship with the Russian mercenaries.
  Atlantic Council

Narrative B:

• Wagner is the Kremlin's quasi-state agent of influence and should be treated as such. Not all entities that commit atrocities and crimes against humanity are terrorist groups, and designating them would be a dangerous slippery slope that could threaten relations with partners in Africa while also undermining the application of the terrorist label.
  Modern War Institute