The Kremlin this Friday admitted to legalizing Russian private military companies, namely the Wagner group, the existence of which is not yet legally permitted.
“Legally, the private military company Wagner does not exist and never has existed. It is an issue that needs further study and investigation,” said the Kremlin spokesman. Dmitry Peskov told journalists, adding that the matter was “quite complicated”.
The Kremlin spokesman’s statements come on the same day that the Russian president first revealed details of the meeting with Yevgeny Prigozhin and other Wagner Group commanders, five days after the mercenary group’s alleged failed uprising, stating that ” the military private does not exist”.
In an interview published today in the Russian daily Kommersant, Vladimir Putin said he had given the Wagner group fighters the opportunity to “stay in one place” and “continue to serve” Russia.
“They can all come together in one place and continue to serve [a Rússia]. Nothing would change for them. They would be led by the same person who was their real commander all along,” Putin said of the content of the proposal to the mercenaries at a meeting of 35 “Wagner commanders” held at the Kremlin on June 29.
However, Russia’s Lower House of Parliament (Duma) has passed legislative amendments that increase the maximum recall age of reservists from 50 to 55 years and will be gradually implemented between 2024 and 2028.
According to the Russian agency Interfax, the changes in the law apply to private soldiers, sailors (Russian Navy), sergeants and low-ranking officers of the army and navy.
From January 1, 2024, the “transition phase” will begin, which will last until January 1, 2028.
The amendments adopted today also provide for the military recruitment of foreign citizens up to the age of 52, a possibility that extends to those who have a residence status or other document authorizing the permanent residence of these people in third countries.
With the military campaign against Ukraine, Russia took steps to increase army personnel without calling for new mobilizations of young men, who were deeply unpopular, by promoting financially attractive contracts for the armed forces and through a volunteer recruitment program.
Source: DN
