Western powers on the UN Security Council, led by the US, have accused Russia of using mercenaries to exploit natural resources in African countries to finance the war in Ukraine. Moscow denied.

The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said Thursday that the US is concerned about the actions of the Wagner group, a security company close to the Kremlin that is present in several African countries under agreements signed with the respective governments.

The diplomat denounced a "strategy of exploitation of natural resources in the Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan and other countries" and assured that the actions of mercenaries are "documented" and "irrefutable."

"Illicit earnings are being used to fund Moscow's war machine in Africa, the Middle East and Ukraine," said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, quoted by DW, who accused the mercenary company of "exploiting" the countries, which pay for its services with gold, diamonds, timber and other natural resources.

"Africans are paying a high price for the Wagner group's exploitative practices and human rights violations," he insisted.