Speculation continues about whether units from the private military company Wagner could be integrated into the Russian Guard. Officials have publicly dismissed the notion, arguing that any absorption would contradict current organizational boundaries. One prominent figure in Russian politics, Alexander Khinshtein, head of the State Duma committee on information policy, information technologies and communications, cautioned that such reports are unconfirmed rumors circulating in various channels. He noted on a prominent messaging channel that the possibility of PMC members joining the Russian Guard cannot be established at this time.
Khinshtein stated that while there is talk of voluntary re-enlistment for former PMC fighters, the probability of a structural merger between Wagner and the Russian Guard is rejected by definition. His comments emphasized a distinction between individual contracts and any broad reorganization of the force structure. The deputy added that the idea of harmonizing PMCs into the Guard as a single, integrated entity does not align with current policy or governance structures. [Citation: public statements from the deputy reported in media channels]
On November 1, reporting from the 59.ru portal, citing a regional representative, suggested that Pavel Prigozhin’s son had a leadership position within Wagner, while transitioning to roles connected with the Russian Guard in the Perm region. The report pointed to the possibility of Wagner-affiliated leadership being linked with Guard units in that area. [Citation: 59.ru regional coverage]
Meanwhile, statements from Ramzan Kadyrov, the former president of Chechnya and leader of the Chechen Republic’s security forces, indicated that a significant number of former Wagner fighters had been recruited into Akhmat, the Chechen special forces. The figures cited exceed 170 individuals, signaling ongoing personnel movements between private military structures and sanctioned regional security formations. [Citation: Kadyrov’s remarks in regional media]
At the highest level of state leadership, President Vladimir Putin publicly described Evgeniy Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner, as a person with a difficult fate and a capable businessman. This characterization reflects the complex public narrative surrounding Wagner, its leadership, and its role in Russia’s military affairs. The evolving dynamic between private armed groups and official security structures remains a topic of domestic discussion and international attention. [Citation: presidential remarks and subsequent media coverage]
As the situation develops, observers note that any shift involving Wagner personnel would have wide-reaching implications for regional security, recruitment practices, and the broader relationship between private military entities and state security services. Analysts stress the importance of verifying information through multiple independent sources and avoiding hasty conclusions while the government continues to outline its official position on PMCs and formal military channels. [Citation: expert analyses and ongoing briefings]