News Feed

ISW: Prigozhin shows no interest in formally subordinating Wagner to the Russian Defense Ministry

1 min read

Wagner financier Yevgeny Prigozhin sarcastically criticized the Russian Defense Ministry formalization efforts on June 17. He had previously portrayed himself as compliant with the order for volunteer formations to sign formal contracts by July 1.

In its latest update, the Institute for the Study of War says Prigozhin also claimed he attempted to submit a contract to formalize Wagner under the Defense Ministry.

The mercenary boss implied that the Defense Ministry will confiscate weapons that volunteer units obtained outside of formal weapon deliveries and said that inexperienced Russian commanders with higher military education will replace are more combat-effective volunteer commanders.

Video thumbnail

Prigozhin did not discuss the contents of his claimed formalization contract with the Russian Defense Ministry on June 17.

"Prigozhin’s behavior indicates that he is unlikely to subordinate Wagner forces to the Russian Ministry of Defense unless such a move would grant him more political power within Russia," the ISW concluded.

Ukraine war latest: Russia attacks Kyiv with Kinzhal missiles as African leaders visit the capital
Key developments on June 16: * Zelensky says no peace talks with Putin until Russian troops withdraw from Ukraine * Russia launches missiles at Kyiv during African leaders’ visit * Russian attack on Kherson injures 23, including 3 children * Ukrainian forces advance south as counteroffensive co…
Article image
Avatar
Olena Goncharova

Head of North America desk

Olena Goncharova is the Head of North America desk at The Kyiv Independent, where she has previously worked as a development manager and Canadian correspondent. She first joined the Kyiv Post, Ukraine's oldest English-language newspaper, as a staff writer in January 2012 and became the newspaper’s Canadian correspondent in June 2018. She is based in Edmonton, Alberta. Olena has a master’s degree in publishing and editing from the Institute of Journalism in Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv. Olena was a 2016 Alfred Friendly Press Partners fellow who worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for six months. The program is administered by the University of Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia.

Read more
News Feed
Video

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, war has become a daily reality for thousands of Ukrainian children. Some Ukrainian military units, such as the Azov Brigade, offer boot camps for teenagers to teach them the basics of self-defense, first aid, dry firing, and other survival skills — helping them prepare for both the realities of today and the uncertainties of the future.

Show More