Moscow’s combat position within the war in Ukraine won’t be impacted by the lack of troops belonging to Russian paramilitary group Wagner, in accordance with a senior Russian defense official.
Wagner forces were integral to Moscow’s advance in Kyiv before the group staged an attempted rebellion at the tip of last month, damaging relations with the Kremlin’s top military brass irreconcilably.
The failed rise up propelled Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin into exile in Belarus and the militia group said it has now suspended recruitment because it relocates to the country.
Members of Wagner group looks from a military vehicle in Rostov-on-Don late on June 24, 2023.
Roman Romokhov | AFP | Getty Images
Elsewhere, a recent center for the prosecution of aggression in Ukraine opens on Monday, bolstering the capabilities of the Dutch-based International Criminal Court, which is proscribed in its mandate to pursue crimes of aggression.
The ICC already has open warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and a top aide for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. Over 700,000 Ukrainian minors have been taken across the Russian border in recent times, a senior Russian official said over the weekend, reiterating the Kremlin’s stance that it offers these children refuge.
In further evidence of solidarity with Ukraine, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez carried out a visit to Kyiv on July 1 — the primary day of his country’s assumption of the EU Council’s rotational presidency.