In its latest intelligence update, the British Defense Ministry says the call by the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) for Wagner Group members to sign contracts directly is met with defiance by Wagner’s owner Yevgeny Prigozhin, highlighting a deepening conflict within the Russian establishment. Meanwhile, the deadline for the volunteer fighters to sign contracts with the MoD, 1 July, “is likely to be a key way-point in the feud.”
The UK defense ministry tweeted:
- “On 10 June 2023, the Russian MoD demanded that members of ‘volunteers formations’ such as Wagner Group sign contracts directly with the MoD, a move explicitly endorsed by President Putin on TV on 13 June 2023.”
- “For several months, Wagner owner Yevgeny Prigozhin has been aiming vitriolic criticism at the MoD hierarchy but deferred to Putin’s authority.”
- “However, despite Putin’s comments, on 14 June 2023 Prigozhin said that, ‘none of Wagner’s fighters are ready to go down the path of shame again. That’s why they will not sign the contracts’. Prigozhin’s rhetoric is evolving into defiance of broader sections of the Russian establishment. 01 July 2023, the deadline for the volunteers to sign contracts, is likely to be a key way-point in the feud.”
Read also:
- Wagner captures Russian lieutenant colonel accused of mining its escape routes from Bahmut
- Russia continues to replace Wagner troops with degraded airborne units in Bakhmut sector – UK intel
- Kadyrov’s troops likely ordered to pick up where Wagner left off – ISW
- Frontline report: Prigozhin’s video exposes high losses and failure of Wagner Group in battle for Bakhmut
- Wagner forces to be used in further offensive ops once reconstituted despite Prigozhin-Russia MOD feud – UK intel
