Russian President Vladimir Putin was captured in a recent meeting, which was broadcast on state television, as he engaged with one of the highest-ranking former leaders of the Wagner mercenary group. During this meeting, they discussed the strategic utilization of "volunteer units" in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
This significant encounter serves as a clear indicator of the Kremlin's efforts to demonstrate its authority over the mercenary group. This development follows a failed mutiny within the organization led by its former leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, back in June. Tragically, Prigozhin and several other high-ranking commanders lost their lives in a plane crash in August.
The rendezvous occurred at the Kremlin, with Putin engaging in discussions with Andrei Troshev, a former Wagner commander recognized by his pseudonym "Sedoi," which translates to "grey hair." According to official statements, this meeting took place late on Thursday and was attended by Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. Notably, Yevkurov has undertaken numerous visits to countries where Wagner mercenaries have previously operated.
During their conversation, Putin touched upon the deployment of "volunteer units" capable of executing diverse combat missions, especially within the zone of the special military operation. He acknowledged Troshev's extensive experience in such units, spanning over a year, and emphasized the importance of addressing key issues beforehand to ensure the success of combat operations. Additionally, Putin expressed his interest in discussing the provision of social support for those engaged in the conflict.
Troshev, deeply engrossed in the conversation, was seen nodding and holding a pencil, but his responses were not showcased. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Troshev currently holds a position within the defense ministry.
The future trajectory of the Wagner group has been uncertain since Prigozhin's failed mutiny and subsequent demise. Following these events, Putin mandated that Wagner fighters pledge allegiance to the Russian state, a directive that had been met with opposition by Prigozhin and many of his associates.
A report by Russia's Kommersant newspaper hinted at Putin's recommendation for Troshev to assume leadership shortly after the Wagner mutiny. Thus, it appears that what remains of the Wagner group will now be overseen by Troshev and Yevkurov, as indicated by the recent meeting in the Kremlin.
Wagner, which once boasted tens of thousands of members, gained notoriety for its capture of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in a particularly violent battle during the ongoing conflict. Following this event, Wagner units withdrew from Ukraine. Some former Wagner fighters have since enlisted in the formal Russian armed forces, while others have joined different private military companies (PMCs), according to sources in Russia cited by Reuters.
British military intelligence has reported that a substantial number of fighters formerly affiliated with Wagner have likely begun to redeploy to Ukraine as part of various units. The precise status of these redeployed personnel remains unclear, but it is possible that some have transitioned to segments of the official Russian Ministry of Defence forces and other PMCs.
Troshev, a highly decorated veteran of Russia's engagements in Afghanistan and Chechnya, as well as a former commander in the SOBR interior ministry rapid reaction force, hails from St. Petersburg, which is also President Putin's hometown. He has been photographed with the president and received Russia's highest medal, the Hero of Russia, in 2016 for his role in the liberation of Palmyra in Syria from Islamic State militants.
