Russian Private Military Companies Face Political Turmoil Amidst Putin's Decisions.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Group, has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's push to force mercenaries to sign official contracts with Moscow's army, calling it "the path of shame." Prigozhin has long criticized Russia's defense ministry over its handling of the war in Ukraine. Despite working alongside Russia's military in Ukraine, the Wagner Group has consistently found itself at odds with regular Russian military. The upcoming deadline for fighters to sign their contracts on July 1 will "likely" be a "key way-point" in the feud, according to UK intelligence.