Russia Seeks Direct Control of Wagner Group in Ukraine War

Russia's Deputy Defence Minister has announced that "volunteer formations" will be asked to sign contracts directly with the ministry of defence, in a move widely believed to target the private military group Wagner. The group has played a major role in the war in Ukraine, fighting on the side of Russian forces. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has said his forces will boycott the contracts, insisting that his group was well integrated with the Russian military, but said that its effectiveness would be damaged by having to report to the defence minister.