Russia's Defense Ministry says Wagner mercenaries are surrendering their weapons to the military
Russia’s Defense Ministry says mercenaries of the Wagner Group are completing the handover of their weapons to the military, a move that follows the private army’s brief rebellion last month that challenged the Kremlin’s authority
By AP News
Published - Jul 12, 2023, 02:05 PM ET
Last Updated - Jul 12, 2023, 02:06 PM EDT
MOSCOW (AP) — Mercenaries of the Wagner Group are completing the handover of their weapons to the Russian military, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday, a move that follows the private army's brief rebellion last month that challenged the Kremlin's authority.
The disarming of Wagner reflects efforts by authorities to defuse the threat it posed and also appears to herald an end to the mercenary group's operations on the battlefield in Ukraine.
The actions come amid continued uncertainty about the fate of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and the terms of a deal that ended the armed rebellion by offering amnesty for him and his mercenaries along with permission to move to Belarus.
