Elements of the Wagner Group mercenary army are being absorbed into Russia‘s internal security force, known as Rosgvardia, British military officials said Thursday.
It’s an indication that the Kremlin has established control over the private military company founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former ally of President Vladimir Putin until he launched a rebellion in June 2023.
British officials said that Rosgvardia is incorporating three former Wagner Group assault detachments into its first “Volunteer Corps” formation. On Dec. 25, Mr. Putin signed a law authorizing them to form volunteer formations.
Troops from the former Wagner Group units will likely deploy their volunteer formations to Ukraine and Africa.
“Rosgvardia is reportedly offering volunteers six-month contracts for service in Ukraine and nine-month contracts for service in Africa,” the British Defense Ministry said Thursday in its latest assessment of the battlefield in Ukraine.
Rosgvardia, officially the National Guard of the Russian Federation, is not part of the Russian armed forces. It was established by presidential decree in 2016 with the stated mission of securing Russia‘s borders, combating terrorism and organized crime, and protecting public order.