Vladimir Putin has signed and executive order demanding that Wagner mercenaries swear an oath of allegiance to the Russian Federation.
Following Putin’s assassination of Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin this is now the “end of Wagner project” and the Russian leader knows they are highly trained and more capable than most of his army.
Ukrainian Army Major Vitor Trugebov told Daily Express US, “If it is not staged, it could be coincidence (highly unlikely) or assassination (very likely).
“If it’s assassination, it’s like telling all the Russians ‘this is what happens if you try to move tanks to Moscow.
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“In any case, it is the end of Wagner project.”
Putin’s executive order for Wagner mercenaries reads, “The Executive Order has been signed with the view to shaping spiritual and moral foundations for defending the Russian Federation, its independence and Constitution.
“Under the executive order, the oath to the State Flag of the Russian Federation shall be administered to people joining volunteer units and other persons contributing to fulfilling the objectives of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, as well as other troops, military units and bodies as per the Federal Law On Defence, and taking part in the special military operation;
“Those employed by state enterprises established as per the law setting forth a special legal framework regulating the circulation of arms and security; and persons involved in territorial defence.
“The executive order contains the text of the oath.”
However, many Wagner mercenaries have spoken about their fears over the future of the group and some have vowed revenge on Putin and Moscow.
A Russian military blogger who claims to be a part of Wagner Group wrote on Telegram, “It is not yet clear whether Hero of Russia Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin was on board, but if he was, then pack your things, and f*** this whole war we DO NOT NEED.”
Dr Joana de Deus Pereira, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), Prigozhin’s alleged death will warrant a “certain revamping” of the organisation.
She told the BBC’s World Tonight programme, “The organisation will persist in the future probably with another name, but it has already proved it has the capacity to adapt and to morph.
“We have to look at Wagner not only as a single man but as an ecosystem, as a hydra with many many heads and many diverse interests in Africa.”
