Russian Defense Ministry's Attempt to Control Wagner Group Rejected
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Group, has refused an order for his fighters to sign contracts with the Russian army by the end of June, which Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu says would make Russia's war machine more effective in Ukraine. This public feud is happening as the much-awaited Ukrainian counteroffensive is officially underway, and failing to rein in the Wagner Group would make it harder for the Russians to coordinate resisting Ukrainian forces as they try to retake Russian-held territory.