Russian Defense Ministry: Wagner Hands Over Its Weapons to Armed Forces

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday that the Wagner private military group is completing the handover of its weapons to the regular Russian armed forces following a brief armed rebellion by the group over two weeks ago. The ministry added in a statement accompanied by a video showing tanks, missiles, and other heavy weapons that Wagner has transferred more than 2,000 pieces of equipment and over 2,500 tons of ammunition. If the weapon transfer is genuine, it would be the most significant indication so far of Wagner's withdrawal from combat operations in the war in Ukraine. Fighters from the group participated in some of the fiercest and deadliest battles in the Ukraine conflict. This development follows an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, under which the group and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin canceled their brief rebellion last month. Prigozhin had sharply criticized Russian defense leaders for their handling of the war. Under the agreement, Prigozhin moved to Belarus, and the group's fighters were given the option to join him in exile, join the regular armed forces, or return home. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the transfer of weapons is proceeding "according to plan."