“Russian Paramilitary Operatives Mandated to Swear Allegiance to National Flag Following Wagner Leader’s Reported Demise: Presidential Decree by President Vladimir Putin
In the wake of the purported passing of Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, a presidential decree was issued on Friday, August 25, making it obligatory for Russian paramilitary fighters to pledge allegiance to the Russian flag.
This directive, designed to establish moral and spiritual principles for safeguarding the Russian Federation, pertains to members of volunteer formations, often associated with mercenary units, as outlined in Putin’s decree. It extends its jurisdiction to groups aiding in the execution of tasks assigned to the armed forces and territorial defense units, as stated in the decree available on the Kremlin’s official website.
Fighters are required to commit to “expressing their loyalty to the Russian Federation, unwaveringly adhering to directives from their commanders and superiors, and dutifully fulfilling their responsibilities,” according to the content of the decree.
President Vladimir Putin endorsed this document, coming two months after Prigozhin’s leadership in a fatal insurrection against Moscow’s high-ranking military officials.
When questioned about Wagner’s future, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday that the “Wagner private military group does not exist” in legal terms.”
