The meeting took place on June 29, just five days after Wagner militants staged a brief mutiny on June 24.
Post Dates – Friday 10:45am – July 23rd 14th
Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Wagner mercenary group, which launched a brief insurgency against Russia’s military leadership in June, “doesn’t exist at all”.
The president made the remarks to Russia’s Kommersant newspaper, describing for the first time what was discussed at a Kremlin meeting attended by 35 Wagner commanders, including the group’s leader, Yev. Genny Prigozhin.
The meeting took place on June 29, just five days after Wagner militants staged a brief mutiny on June 24.
“I was at the meeting assessing, on the one hand, what they did on the (Ukrainian) battlefield, and on the other hand, what they did in the June 24 incident.
“Thirdly, I showed them possible options for further service, including using their combat experience. That’s it,” Putin said.
Asked whether the group would remain a combat force, the president replied: “The Wagner PMC doesn’t exist. We don’t have a law against private military organizations. It doesn’t exist at all. No such legal entity exists.
“The organization does exist, but legally it doesn’t. That’s a separate issue related to actual legalization. But it’s an issue that should be discussed in the State Duma and in the government. It’s not a simple issue. “
Putin went on to say that he offered various employment options to the 35 Wagnerian commanders, including under his immediate commander, whose call sign was “Sedoy” (gray hair) — under his leadership, Wagnerian fighters fought for the Russian Empire. past 16 months.
“They could have gathered in one place and continued to serve,” the Russian leader was quoted as telling the newspaper by CNN.
“Nothing will change for them. They will be led by the same man who has always been their true commander.”
