Wagner mercenaries must swear allegiance to Russia as Putin signs decree forcing fighters to take vow

26 August 2023, 19:13

Wagner mercenaries must swear allegiance to Russia as Putin signs decree forcing fighters to take vow
Wagner mercenaries must swear allegiance to Russia as Putin signs decree forcing fighters to take vow. Picture: LBC / Alamy

By Danielle DeWolfe

President Vladimir Putin has today signed a decree ordering all members of the Wagner mercenary group to pledge allegiance to the Russian state.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Signing the order on Friday, Putin's latest decree extends to all other Russian private military contractors, meaning all must take an oath of allegiance to the Russian state.

The decree, which applies to any individual participating in military activities in Ukraine, was signed off by the Russian leader and will come into effect immediately.

It comes just two days after Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was presumed killed in a plane crash en route to Moscow.

Signing the order on Friday, Putin's latest decree extends to all other Russian private military contractors, meaning all must take an oath of allegiance to the Russian state.
Signing the order on Friday, Putin's latest decree extends to all other Russian private military contractors, meaning all must take an oath of allegiance to the Russian state. Picture: LBC / Alamy

The news also comes as it emerged Ukrainian forces have launched a major attack on Russian positions in the east of the war-torn nation.

Putin's new decree, which extends to the Russian army and all individuals serving in territorial defence units, is the latest attempt by the leader to reassert his authority following June's attempted military mutiny.

The events of June came off the back of widespread discontent and saw Prigozhin and his troops march towards Moscow.

Read more: 'Absolute lies': Kremlin denies giving order to kill Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin

Read more: Ukrainian forces launch huge attack on Russia's front lines amid stuttering counter-offensive

The uprising followed attempts by Russia to force mercenary groups to sign new contracts, with a deadline of July 1 put in place.

However, Prigozhin refused, ultimately marching on Moscow in a show of force against Russia, showing his desire not to operate under the Russian ministry.

The uprising followed attempts by Russia to force mercenary groups to sign new contracts, with a deadline of July 1 put in place.
The uprising followed attempts by Russia to force mercenary groups to sign new contracts, with a deadline of July 1 put in place. Picture: LBC / Alamy

Following Prigozhin's apparent death, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said accusations that Russia orchestrated an explosion on his plane, killing everyone on board are a “complete lie.”

He described the deaths of all the passengers on board the flight as “tragic” and called for an end to “speculation” about the cause of the crash.

On Friday, Ukrainian General Staff announced that there had been further gains near Novoprokopivka village and towards the settlement of Ocheretuvate.

The General Staff said their troops “are consolidating their positions, inflicting artillery fire on the identified enemy targets, and conducting counter-battery operations.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

People thought to be migrants board a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France, in an attempt to reach the UK by crossing the English Channel. Picture date: Saturday May 31, 2025.

Starmer 'loses control' on immigration as 1,200 migrants cross Channel in a day

US prosecutors allege Miller was working with a Chinese national to illegally acquire weapons systems and other classified equipment for the Chinese government.

British businessman 'caught spying for China' faces 40 years in US prison after FBI sting

Dani captioned the post of the newly weds 'The Bowens'

Love Island's Dani Dyer and West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen tie knot in 'Bridgerton-inspired' ceremony

Paris St Germain sweep aside Inter Milan to win Champions League

Paris St-Germain thrash Inter Milan with record 5-0 win - becoming Champions of Europe for the first time

A group of people thought to be migrants onboard a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France, in an attempt to reach the UK by crossing the English Channel. Picture date: Saturday May 31, 2025.

Coastguard resources 'stretched thin' by migrant rescues as fishing boats urged to help yacht in trouble

Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar was killed in an Israeli airstrike

Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar 'eliminated' in airstrike on tunnel under south Gaza hospital, IDF confirms

Brandon Moore is a rugby league player.

Rugby league star missing as wife issues desperate plea to find father of three

Thicke and his long-term partner tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

'Through Thicke and thin': Robin Thicke gets hitched to model April Love Geary in Mexico after seven-year engagement

Police officers look at the remains of a crashed plane on the terrace of a residential building in Korschenbroich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (David Young/dpa via AP)

Two people die after small plane crashes into house in Germany

Aziz Ziriat had been hiking in the Dolomites with his friend.

Body of British hiker missing in Italy since January found at foot of mountain as family praise rescuers' 'commitment'

Emergency services were called to Frith Road, Croydon, just after 9am on Saturday and treated two injured people at the scene.

Woman in her 20s stabbed to death in 'tragic' incident in Croydon as man arrested on suspicion of murder

WFP distribute flour to Palestinians struggling with hunger in Gaza.

Dozens of UN food lorries 'blocked and emptied' by desperate Palestinians

Hamas has agreed to release 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in response to the US' Gaza ceasefire proposals.

Hamas demands changes to US Gaza ceasefire plan - as US envoy Steve Witkoff slams 'totally unacceptable' proposal

Emergency services responded on Friday to a report of two children, a boy and a girl, who were facing difficulty in the water near the Royal Terrace Pier in Gravesend, Kent.

Body found in search for missing girl who vanished in the River Thames as rescued boy remains in stable condition

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense, at NATO headquarters

Pete Hegseth warns Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be 'imminent'

Michael Mosley died while on holiday with his wife on the Greek island of Symi last year

Michael Mosley's family set up research project in his memory after TV doctor's tragic death on Greek island