"We continue to work in all the countries where we started or are now doing this work of co-operation and development," he said in an interview published on the pro-Kremlin TV’s Facebook page.

"If the assistance of the Wagner Group is needed anywhere to combat gangs and terrorists and to protect the interests of the people of these countries, we are ready to begin immediately to fulfil this task after agreeing on the conditions."

He added that “there was no, and there will be no reduction in our programmes in Africa".

His remarks followed rumours about the possible withdrawal of Wagner mercenaries from Mali and the Central African Republic. The rumours began circulating after Mr Prigozhin staged a short-lived mutiny in Russia on 24 June.

Rights groups have accused Wagner mercenaries of committing human rights abuses in Mali and CAR.