Wagner founder rejects command of fighter jet contracts with Russian military

The leader of Russia’s private military company Wagner said on Sunday his group would not comply with an order that would require it to sign a formal contract with the Russian defense ministry by July 1.

The blunt refusal to comply with the order marks the latest flashpoint in a long-running feud between the mercenary boss, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, and Russia’s defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, which has sparked divisions in Moscow’s ranks and infighting. revealed about management. of Russian troops in Ukraine.

For months, Mr. Prigozhin has publicly criticized Mr. Shoigu and Russia’s military leadership, characterizing them as incompetent thick-business bureaucrats who are ruining operations in Ukraine.

On Saturday, Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov announced that the more than 40 “volunteer formations” fighting in Ukraine outside the traditional Russian army must sign contracts with the ministry by July 1 to take on formal legal status.

But Mr Prigozhin released a statement on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday saying he refused to “sign contracts with Shoigu” and renewed his criticism of the defense minister. Wagner was already “organically” integrated into the overall Russian system, Mr Prigozhin said, with experienced unit commanders from his forces working alongside Russian generals in a highly effective structure.

“Unfortunately, most military units do not have such efficiency, namely because Shoigu cannot lead military formations normally,” said Prigozhin. “Therefore, the fact that he writes decrees or orders – that applies exclusively to the Department of Defense and those who fall within the framework of the Department of Defense.”

The ministry is in the process of recruiting more contract soldiers to fight in Ukraine and is competing with private military formations such as Wagner for talent. The Russian state was also one step behind the group of mercenaries in finding new recruiting methods.

For example, the Defense Ministry followed Mr Prigozhin’s example and began recruiting from Russian prisons last year. British intelligence estimated that the Russian army recruited 10,000 fighters from prisons in April alone.

In his statement on Sunday, Mr Prigozhin suggested his refusal to comply with the order could lead to a backlash for Wagner, but made it clear that despite his criticism of Mr Shoigu, his troops would still be called upon when necessary and he remained loyal to the president. Vladimir V. Putin and the Russian State.

“Wagner is absolutely completely subservient to the interests of the Russian Federation and the Supreme Commander,” Mr. Prigozhin wrote.