Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Andrei Troshev, a former senior commander of the Wagner mercenary group and an aide to the late Wagner chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Putin has tasked Troshev with overseeing volunteer fighter units in Ukraine. This move comes in the backdrop of an attempted insurrection by the Wagner group against Putin’s authority, signifying Putin’s effort to reassert control and emphasize loyalty to the Russian state.
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Key Points:Â
- Andrei Troshev, a notable ex-commander of the Wagner mercenary group, is now working for the Russian defense ministry.
- Troshev’s former chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led a significant challenge to Putin’s authority, died in a plane crash in August.
- Putin’s meeting with Troshev and his public directives indicate efforts to reestablish authority and control over private military contractors like Wagner.
- Experts suggest that this development marks a transition to a post-Prigozhin era, with the Ministry of Defence assuming more direct control over special military operations in Ukraine.
- Troshev, also known as Sedoi (“the one with grey hair”), has previously been awarded for his commendable services in Syria and is a respected veteran of Russia’s earlier conflicts.
