Expert talks about the threat to Ukraine when Wagner returns to the battlefield

(Dan Tri) – Wagner could pose a threat to Ukraine if this force returns to the battlefield in the form of a unit of the Ministry of Defense or the Russian National Guard, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said.

Wagner forces in Rostov-on-Don, Russia during the rebellion in June (Photo: AFP).

According to Ukrainsk Pravda, in a report dated October 1, the US-based ISW mentioned information that the Wagner private military force had recently returned to the Ukrainian battlefield after a series of unexpected developments in the past few months.

ISW noted that in recent weeks there has been information about negotiations regarding future cooperation between this force and the Russian military.

TASS news agency reported on September 28 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had a meeting with Russian Deputy Minister of Defense, General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, and Andrey Troshev, a retired Russian colonel and former

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later confirmed that Mr. Troshev is working at the Russian Ministry of Defense.

However, Wagner’s status and the extent of cooperation with Russia are currently unknown.

A famous Telegram channel related to Wagner said on October 1 that Pavel Prigozhin, 25 years old, son of Wagner tycoon Yevgeny Prigozhin, is preparing to take over the management of this force.

Another well-informed source said that Wagner soldiers will not be required to sign a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and that Wagner will retain its name, symbol, command and operating principles.

According to some sources, Pavel Prigozhin is also not completely independent, but is influenced by Mikhail Vatanin, the head of Wagner’s security company.

Meanwhile, according to a source, the head of the Russian National Guard Viktor Zolotov is considering making Wagner a separate unit under the National Guard.

`The Russian Ministry of Defense will have to provide a large amount of weapons and equipment to Wagner if it puts this force under the management of the National Guard because the resources of the Russian National Guard cannot meet the conditions.

ISW analysts emphasize that Wagner’s return could pose a threat to Ukraine if this force becomes a unified unit under the management of the Ministry of Defense and the Russian National Guard.

Wagner played an important role in Russia’s special military campaign in Ukraine, especially in the Bakhmut battlefield.

Wagner’s fate became unpredictable after the failed rebellion in Russia on June 23 and after the death of tycoon Prigozhin and a number of senior commanders in August.

News of Wagner’s return comes as both Russia and Ukraine are desperate to achieve a breakthrough on the battlefield before the conflict could freeze for winter.

Although Ukraine’s counteroffensive campaign has lasted for the past 4 months, it has not achieved significant progress, but Kiev announced that it had breached the first line of Russia’s fortified defense system in Zaporizhia, southern Ukraine.