The leader of the Russian Wagner mercenary company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, assured this Sunday that he will never sign any collaboration contract with the Russian army, which is a precondition for the integration of “volunteer” combatants into the ranks.
In yet another sign of his dismissal of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Prigozhin understands that this order only applies to the ministry’s fighters and not his organization, before assuring that he will always follow Vladimir Putin’s orders as Russia’s president. and commander. of the Armed Forces.
“Wagner is absolutely and completely subordinated to the interests of the Russian Federation and the Commander-in-Chief,” Prigozhin said in a message posted on the Telegram social network, reiterating that his company has always acted in coordination with Generals Sergei Surovikin and Valeri. Gerasimov, who in recent months have led the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry ordered volunteer units to sign contracts by July 1, “in an effort to provide the necessary legal status and extend social protection and support measures to volunteers and their families.”
“Unfortunately, most military units are not that efficient, and precisely because Shoigu cannot handle military formations as it should,” Prigozhin complained.
“Therefore, the fact that he writes decrees or orders applies exclusively to the Ministry of Defense and to those who are part of the Ministry of Defense,” he reiterated.
Source: TSF
