Russian President’s Move Undermines Wagner’s Prigozhin as He Faces Pressure to Sign Contracts

In a significant development within Russia’s military structure, President Vladimir Putin has sided with his top military officials, endorsing a move to place the Wagner Group under the direct control of the Russian Ministry of Defence. This decision comes after a prolonged dispute between Putin’s generals and Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has publicly refused to comply with the Ministry’s order to sign contracts.

Putin made the remarks on Tuesday, calling for the “volunteer detachments” fighting in Ukraine, including Wagner, to formalize their positions within the Russian military framework. He stressed that the contracts should be signed “as quickly as possible,” stating that the move aligns with “common sense, established practice, and the law.” This move is seen as a clear attempt to rein in Prigozhin’s power and reduce the influence of his private military group.

The decision has dealt a severe blow to Prigozhin, who has used Wagner’s key role in the battle for Bakhmut to enhance his own public image, often using it as a platform to criticize Russia’s military leadership, including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. The Wagner Group’s outsized profile in Russian media has allowed Prigozhin to frequently challenge the competence of the Russian generals.

In response, Prigozhin rejected the idea of formalizing Wagner’s relationship with the Ministry of Defence, calling it unnecessary. “Wagner will not sign any contracts with Shoigu,” Prigozhin declared, accusing the Defence Minister of mismanaging military units. This marks a rare public confrontation between Prigozhin and Putin, with the Wagner leader directly challenging the president’s initiative. He also remarked, “When we started participating in this war, no one said that we would be obliged to conclude agreements with the Ministry of Defence.”

Putin’s endorsement of Shoigu’s plan to integrate mercenary groups like Wagner into the Russian military comes amid continued tension between the state and private military groups operating in Ukraine. The move is seen as a step towards consolidating control over the private forces that have played a pivotal role in the conflict.

As this dispute continues to unfold, the implications for both the Wagner Group and Russia’s broader military strategy remain significant. With Prigozhin’s influence challenged, the military dynamics in Ukraine are set to shift, with questions over the future role of private military contractors in Russia’s operations.