Vladimir Putin instructs former Wagner commander Andrei Troshev to form 'volunteer units' for war against Ukraine

The Russian president has ordered the former chief of staff of the Wagner PMC, Andrei Troshev, to form "volunteer units" for the war against Ukraine.

This was reported by the press service of the Russian president.

"First of all, of course, in the Special Military Operation zone (as the Russians call the Russian war against Ukraine - Ed.) You yourself have fought in such a unit for more than a year," Putin told Troshev.

According to Russian media, Andrei Troshev did not support Prigozhin's so-called "mutiny". After that, Putin allegedly offered Wagner to be assigned to serve under Troshev.

Putin's spokesman, Peskov, said that Troshev now worked for the Ministry of Defence.

British intelligence said that Wagner's men were returning to combat in Ukraine.

"Several reports suggest a concentration of Wagner veterans around Bakhmut," the UK Ministry of Defence statement says. 

This information was previously confirmed by the Operational and Tactical Group Skhid (East).

According to spokesperson Illia Yevlash, the task of the Wagnerites will be to regain lost ground and continue the offensive, as Russia has not abandoned its intention to occupy Luhansk and Donetsk regions completely.

It will be recalled that some of the mercenaries were in Belarus. They were brought there after the so-called "Wagner's Rebellion" that took place in Russia in June 2023.