Wagner Group Moves to Transfer Large Equipment... Steps Toward Absorption by Ministry of National Defense

The Russian mercenary company Wagner Group, which had staged an armed rebellion, is set to be absorbed by the Ministry of Defense, handing over large military equipment.

According to major foreign media including Sputnik News, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on the 27th (local time) in a statement that "preparations are underway to transfer Wagner Group's large military equipment to active Russian military units."

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian mercenary company Wagner Group that launched an armed rebellion, is greeting residents as he withdraws from Rostov-on-Don, a city in southern Russia that was under occupation, on the 24th (local time).

Wagner Group is known to possess tanks, armored vehicles, and field air defense systems. If these weapons are handed over to the Russian Ministry of Defense, it is expected that Wagner Group will naturally be absorbed into the Ministry of Defense. Soldiers affiliated with Wagner Group will also have their status changed to belong to the Ministry of Defense.

Earlier, on the previous day, President Vladimir Putin stated in a national address that he would give Wagner Group, which staged the rebellion, the option regarding their future status. He said that soldiers could sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense, and if they do not wish to, they could choose to go to Belarus.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has decided to close the investigation into Wagner Group's rebellion charges. In a statement on the same day, the FSB said, "The investigation into the rebellion charges initiated on the 23rd confirmed that the participants ceased their criminal actions on the 24th," and "considering other matters related to the investigation, the investigative authorities decided to close the case today."

In Russia, armed rebellion can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years. However, on the 24th, Russia agreed not to punish participants on the condition that Wagner Group cease the rebellion.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.