It remains unclear what role Wagner will play inside Russia, if any, as its founder Yevegny Prigozhin sets up shop in neighboring Belarus after President Lukashenko mediated a deal on his behalf.

The fresh sanctions, announced Tuesday, target four companies accused of "gold dealing" on Wagner's behalf as well as an individual Washington says made "weapons deals" tied to Wagner.

Companies in Russia, the UAE, and Central African Republic "have engaged in illicit gold dealings to fund the Wagner Group to sustain and expand its armed forces, including in Ukraine and Africa," according to the Treasury statement. Wagner in Africa is essentially a foreign policy arm of the Kremlin, which might explain why Moscow sees the group as somewhat indispensable.

Africa has lately been known as a place with the largest Wagner mercenary presence outside of the Ukraine conflict, which has deeply alarmed Washington and West. The US and its allies have long hoped to thwart and dismantle Wagner's presence there, and deal-making with multiple African governments. 

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement, "The Wagner Group funds its brutal operations in part by exploiting natural resources in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali."