Russian Defense Ministry Struggles to Control Private Military Contractors

The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has refused to sign contracts with the military that seek to formalize the hierarchy of forces fighting in Ukraine. This comes after the Defense Ministry ordered "volunteer detachments" to sign contracts with the military by July 1. Wagner has been at the forefront of Russia's offensive in Ukraine for several months and has been accused of destabilizing countries and brutal fighting tactics in conflict zones around the world.