On June 10, 2023, the russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) demanded that members of “volunteers formations” such as Wagner Group sign contracts directly with the MoD, a move explicitly endorsed by President Vladimir Putin on TV on June 13, 2023, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
For several months, Wagner Group owner Yevgeny Prigozhin has been aiming vitriolic criticism at the MoD hierarchy but deferred to Putin’s authority.
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However, despite Putin’s comments, on June 14, 2023, Prigozhin said that “none of Wagner’s fighters are ready to go down the path of shame again. That’s why they will not sign the contracts”.
According to the UK Defense Intelligence, Prigozhin’s rhetoric is evolving into defiance of broader sections of the russian establishment. 1 July 2023, the deadline for the volunteers to sign contracts, is likely to be a key way-point in the feud.
As Defense Express reported, Tensions Rise as Wagner Group Clashes with russian Ministry of Defense.
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