Support for Ukraine set to be high on agenda at meeting between US and British leaders; Ukraine’s deputy defence minister says heavy fighting ongoing in much fought-over city
Vladimir Putin’s decision not to dismantle the Wagner mercenary group and prosecute those who took part in last month’s rebellion against Moscow is “placing himself and his subordinates in an awkward position,” the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has said in its latest assessment of the conflict.
It writes:
Wagner is still reportedly recruiting within Russia while the Russian MoD is reportedly conducting a competing effort to recruit Wagner fighters to sign contracts with the MoD.
Putin’s decision to not dispose of the Wagner Group – previously Russia’s most combat capable force – is making it difficult for Putin and other Russian power players to know how to interact with the Wagner Group and its leaders and fighters.
