Wagner Group ‘does not exist’ after short-lived mutiny: Putin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (local time) the Wagner Group, which launched a brief rebellion against Moscow last month, said the private mercenary group "simply does not exist" as a legal entity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (local time) the Wagner Group, which launched a brief rebellion against Moscow last month, said the private mercenary group "simply does not exist" as a legal entity.

In an interview with Russian newspaper Kommersant, Putin said he had given the chance to Wagner fighters to continue serving after their rebellion ended abruptly.

The Russian leader's comments came after a Kremlin meeting was held, which was attended by 35 Wagner commanders, including the group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, CNN reported.

In that meeting, Putin said he gave the fighters "an assessment of what they had done on the battlefield" and "showed them possible options for their further service, including the use of their combat experience".

As per Russian law, he said, private military organisations, including Wagner, are illegal, The Moscow Times reported.

"There’s such a group, but legally it doesn’t exist (and) it’s a separate issue related to legalisation that should be discussed in the State Duma and the government,” Putin said.