In a recent interview, Andrey Kartapolov, chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, explained the stance around Wagner PMC fighters who chose to remain with the private military company. He indicated that those personnel who decide to stay with Wagner would not be sent to the special military operation zone of the Russian armed forces. The message was clear: without signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense, Wagner personnel would not be eligible to participate in the ongoing special operation. Kartapolov emphasized that the Ministry of Defense must provide tasks and assignments for any unit deployed in such operations, noting that Russia does not have a historical precedent for allowing uncontracted fighters to operate in these theatres. Source: Vedomosti.
He further clarified that ex-Wagner fighters still have avenues to join the neighboring operations after completing a training camp, on the condition that they enter into a formal contract with the Russian Defense Ministry. If a contract is refused, those fighters could either return home or pursue an agreement with the National Guard. This delineation underscores the legal and operational framework governing participation in the conflict zones and highlights the importance of formal affiliation with state security structures. Source: Vedomosti.
The discussion suggested that Wagner personnel might live with the expectation of returning to Belarus after their current assignments, where Wagner forces are reported to be stationed. Kartapolov noted that such a shift could occur as part of the broader realignment of personnel within the security landscape, contingent on contractual arrangements with state authorities. Source: Vedomosti.
On June 29, reports surfaced that Evgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner PMC, did not fulfill certain expectations related to contracts with the Ministry of Defense and the broader participation of the PMC in the special operation. This sequence of events has contributed to ongoing uncertainty about Wagner’s role and future within Russia’s security apparatus. Source: Vedomosti.
Earlier remarks from regional and international leaders heightened concern about the implications of Prigozhin’s movements. In Vilnius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda commented on the potential ramifications of the Wagner founder’s presence in Belarus following the attempted rebellion in Russia, signaling regional unease about the evolving security dynamics and the reach of the Wagner organization. Source: Vedomosti.