Head of Russia’s State Duma Defense Committee says there’s no reason to ban Wagner Group

Andrey Kartapolov, the head of the Russian State Duma’s Defense Committee, told the newspaper Vedomosti that Russia should adopt a bill to regulate the activities of private military companies.

Kartapolov believes that Wagner fighters that were in Rostov-on-Don, “didn’t do anything reprehensible,” since they were “just following the orders of their commanders.” According to him, they “didn’t offend anyone or break anything,” and no one has any complaints about them — “neither the residents of Rostov, the soldiers in the Southern Military District, or law enforcement agencies.”

The chairman added that the fate of Wagner Group has not yet been determined, though he doesn’t believe it should be banned.

“What’s the reason to ban [Wagner Group]? All questions should be addressed to the head of Wagner. Joseph [Stalin] said that children don’t answer for their parents. The one who initiated the rebellion should be the one responsible,” said Kartapolov. He added that Wagner is the most effective military unit in Russia and dissolving it would be a “gift” to NATO and Ukraine.