| − | Under Russian law, the Wagner group or any other private military company (PMC) cannot operate on Russian territory. After the annexation of 4 new republics by referendum in 2023, [[Donetsk]], [[Lugansk]], [[Zaporozhye]], and [[Kherson]]. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD) ordered that the Wagner group be incorporated into the regular Russian armed forces, and that all members sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense. | + | Under Russian law, the Wagner group or any other private military company (PMC) cannot operate on Russian territory. After the annexation of 4 new republics by referendum in 2023, [[Donetsk]], [[Lugansk]], [[Zaporozhye]], and [[Kherson]], the Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD) ordered that the Wagner group be incorporated into the regular Russian armed forces, and that all members sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense. |