Russia-Ukraine war live: Putin orders Wagner fighters to sign oath of allegiance to the state

Decree published on Kremlin website obliges anyone working on behalf of the military in Ukraine to swear a formal oath of allegiance

The crash that killed militia leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has raised serious questions about the future of the mercenary Wagner Group of which he was the leader, especially following Putin's demand for fighters to sign an oath of allegiance.

In African countries where Wagner provided security against groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State, officials and commentators predict Russia will likely maintain its presence, placing the forces under new leadership. Others, however, say Prigozhin built deep, personal connections that Moscow could find challenging to replace quickly.