Title: Russian Mercenary Group Wagner No Longer Participating in Combat Operations in Ukraine, Pentagon Says
Date: July 14, 2023
The Pentagon has announced that Wagner, the Russian mercenary group that recently rebelled against the Kremlin, is no longer actively participating in combat operations in Ukraine. Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, stated that most of Wagner’s forces are still in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine but are no longer contributing significantly to combat capabilities.
According to Ryder, Wagner has handed over small arms, tanks, and missile systems to the Russian Defense Ministry. However, the authenticity of a video released by the ministry showcasing the purported Wagner weapons could not be verified by The Washington Post.
Russian President Vladimir Putin denied the existence of Wagner as a legal entity and suggested that its fighters reassemble under a different leader. Putin claimed to have presented options for the group’s future during a meeting on June 29, but his suggestions were rejected by Wagner founder Yevgeniy Prigozhin.
In other developments, the United States has supplied cluster munitions to Ukraine, although they have not yet been used. U.S. Lt. General Douglas A. Sims II, the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s director of operations, stated that Ukrainian forces will use the munitions in a tactical environment, unlike Russia, which has employed them against civilian communities. Sims also acknowledged the potential risks of unexploded submunitions, which could endanger civilians in postwar areas.
The war in Ukraine continues to have a global impact. France has posthumously awarded slain AFP journalist Arman Soldin the Legion d’Honneur, the country’s highest national honor. Soldin was killed in May while working as a video journalist in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tweet challenging NATO leaders on the pace of his country’s admission into the alliance has caused tension with U.S. officials. The White House reportedly considered scaling back the invitation for Ukraine to join NATO in response to Zelensky’s tweet.
In retaliation to what it deemed “unfriendly” actions by Poland, Russia has closed a Polish consulate in Smolensk and significantly reduced its diplomatic presence in Poland.
Russia has also expressed its dissatisfaction with the exclusion of its athletes from the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the decision, stating that Russian sports stars should have the right to compete in international competitions.
President Joe Biden has expressed his commitment to pursuing a prisoner exchange with Russia to secure the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia for 100 days.
In terms of battleground updates, President Biden has authorized the mobilization of up to 3,000 reservists for duty in Europe, although this will not increase the overall level of U.S. troops in Europe. Ukrainian President Zelensky has stated that there is currently no threat of invasion from Belarus, but Ukraine remains prepared for any developments.
An overnight drone strike in Zelensky’s hometown has caused injuries and property damage. The claims have not been independently verified.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted against measures aimed at halting U.S. assistance for Ukraine, despite opposition from a small group of conservatives.
The dismissal of Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, a top commander in Ukraine who criticized the Russian Defense Ministry, highlights the divisions within Russia’s armed forces following the Wagner rebellion.
The situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, with ongoing diplomatic, military, and political developments shaping the course of the conflict.Title: Russian Mercenary Group Wagner No Longer Participating in Combat Operations in Ukraine, Pentagon Says
Date: July 14, 2023
The Pentagon has announced that Wagner, the Russian mercenary group that recently rebelled against the Kremlin, is no longer actively involved in combat operations in Ukraine. Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, stated that Wagner is no longer “participating in any significant capacity” in support of combat operations.
According to President Vladimir Putin, Wagner does not exist as a legal entity, suggesting that its fighters should regroup under a different leader. Most of Wagner’s forces are currently located in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. However, they are no longer considered a significant combat capability, as they have handed over their weapons, including small arms, tanks, and missile systems, to the Russian Defense Ministry.
In a separate development, the United States has supplied cluster munitions to Ukraine. U.S. Lt. General Douglas A. Sims II, the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s director of operations, confirmed the delivery of the weapons but stated that they have not yet been used. Ukrainian Brig. Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavskyi emphasized that Ukraine intends to use cluster munitions in a tactical environment, unlike Russia, which has used them against civilian communities.
Here are the key developments in the war and its global impact:
1. Wagner’s diminished role: Despite Wagner’s presence in Russian-occupied areas, they are no longer considered a significant combat force. The group has handed over its weapons to the Russian Defense Ministry.
2. Putin’s suggestions rejected: Putin revealed that he proposed options for the future of the Wagner Group, but founder Yevgeniy Prigozhin rejected them. Putin suggested that the group could regroup under a different leader.
3. U.S. cluster munitions in Ukraine: The United States has supplied cluster munitions to Ukraine, which have not yet been used. Ukraine intends to use them in a tactical environment, unlike Russia’s use of these weapons against civilian communities.
In terms of global impact:
1. French journalist honored: France has posthumously awarded slain AFP journalist Arman Soldin the Legion d’Honneur, the country’s highest national honor. Soldin was killed in May while working in eastern Ukraine.
2. Zelensky’s tweet challenges NATO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tweet challenging NATO leaders on his country’s admission into the alliance has caused tension with U.S. officials. The U.S. considered scaling back the invitation for Ukraine to join NATO.
3. Russia closes Polish consulate: Russia has closed a Polish consulate in Smolensk and reduced its diplomatic presence in Poland, citing “unfriendly” actions by Warsaw.
4. Russia protests Olympic exclusion: Russia has criticized the exclusion of its athletes from the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, calling it unfair and politicized. Moscow plans to make representations to the International Olympic Committee.
5. Biden seeks prisoner exchange: President Joe Biden expressed his seriousness in pursuing a prisoner exchange with Russia to secure the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia for 100 days.
In battleground updates:
1. Mobilization of reservists: President Biden authorized the mobilization of up to 3,000 reservists for duty in Europe, without increasing the overall level of U.S. troops in the region.
2. No current invasion threat from Belarus: President Zelensky stated that there is no current threat of invasion from Belarus, but Ukraine remains prepared for any developments.
3. Drone strike on Zelensky’s hometown: An overnight drone strike in Kryvyi Rih, President Zelensky’s hometown, injured one person and caused property damage.
4. U.S. House votes against halting assistance to Ukraine: Measures aimed at halting U.S. assistance for Ukraine were voted against in the U.S. House. Most Republicans and Democrats remain supportive of providing aid to Ukraine.
The dismissal of Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, a top commander in Ukraine who criticized the Russian Defense Ministry, highlights the divisions within Russia’s armed forces. This comes as Putin grapples with the aftermath of the Wagner mercenary rebellion.
The situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, with international implications and ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict and secure the release of detained individuals.
Consequences of Ne joining NATO: What potential implications could Ne’s decision to join NATO have on the conflict in Ukraine and regional stability
Ne to join NATO in response to Zelensky’s tweet.
3. Russia’s diplomatic actions: Russia has closed a Polish consulate in Smolensk and reduced its diplomatic presence in Poland in retaliation for what it deemed “unfriendly” actions by Poland.
4. Russian athletes excluded from Olympics: Russia has expressed dissatisfaction with the exclusion of its athletes from the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, stating that Russian sports stars should have the right to compete in international competitions.
5. Biden’s commitment to prisoner exchange: President Joe Biden is committed to pursuing a prisoner exchange with Russia to secure the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia for 100 days.
6. Mobilization of reservists: President Biden has authorized the mobilization of up to 3,000 reservists for duty in Europe, although this will not increase the overall level of U.S. troops in Europe.
7. Drone strike in Zelensky’s hometown: An overnight drone strike in Zelensky’s hometown has caused injuries and property damage, though the claims have not been independently verified.
8. U.S. support for Ukraine: The U.S. House of Representatives voted against measures aimed at halting U.S. assistance for Ukraine, despite opposition from a small group of conservatives.
9. Dismissal of top Ukrainian commander: The dismissal of Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, a top commander in Ukraine who criticized the Russian Defense Ministry, highlights divisions within Russia’s armed forces following the Wagner rebellion.
The situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, with ongoing diplomatic, military, and political developments shaping the course of the conflict.
This article highlights a positive development in Ukraine’s security situation as the Russian mercenary group Wagner sees a decline in influence. The Pentagon’s assessment of their combat capabilities is a step forward in understanding this group’s activities.