Putin intends to maintain Wagner Group but without Prigozhin - ISW

Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to maintain the Wagner Group as a cohesive fighting force rather than breaking it up but seeks to separate Wagner Financier Yevgeny Prigozhin from Wagner leadership and forces.

This is said in a new report released by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), according to Ukrinform.

Experts note that Putin confirmed on July 13 that he met with Prigozhin and 35 Wagner commanders on June 29. Putin claimed that he offered Wagner fighters the option to serve under a Wagner commander (callsign “Seda”) who has commanded Wagner forces for the last 16 months.

That further confirmed ISW’s previous assessment that “the Kremlin seeks to retain Wagner as a cohesive fighting force while separating it from Prigozhin”.

As reported, on June 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, announced a démarche against the Russian military leadership, in particular against Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

On June 24, Alexander Lukashenko held talks with Prigozhin. Following the talks, the private army's leader announced he was turning his forces around from a march toward Moscow.

Putin, in turn, said that the Wagner fighters could sign a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense or go to Belarus.

Photо: EPA