Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree obliging paramilitary fighters to take an oath of allegiance to Russia. This also applies to the soldiers of Wagner’s mercenary army.
The order comes two days after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a plane crash. The decree did not mention Wagner, but the mercenary army is the most famous paramilitary group in Russia.
Putin says the mercenaries must swear “fidelity and allegiance” to Russia. They must also strictly follow the orders of commanders and superiors.
The decree aims to ensure “the formation of the spiritual and moral basis for the defense of the Russian Federation.”
Wat zijn paramilitairen?
Paramilitairen zijn strijders die gewapende acties uitvoeren, maar niet bij het leger horen. Zo is het huurlingenleger Wagner een paramilitaire groep. Wagner-huurlingen horen niet bij het Russische leger, maar voeren wel acties uit voor Rusland.
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Putin described Wagner’s rebellion as treason
The Wagner Group revolted (briefly) two months earlier, after the Russians asked the Wagner Forces to sign a contract. And then the mercenaries will be hired by the Russian army. Prigozhin wanted none of that.
This conflict is also why there is so much speculation about the plane crash. Critics believe that Putin is behind the incident, as he had previously spoken of treason when Wagner rebelled. The Kremlin calls the rumor an “absolute lie” and says it has nothing to do with it.
It is not yet confirmed that Prigozhin’s body has been found after the crash. Putin has already expressed his condolences to the family of the Wagner boss on his death. The Telegram channel linked to Wagner also assumes he is dead.