Putin discusses options for Wagner fighters following aborted mutiny

Speaking to a reporter from state-controlled newspaper Kommersant, Putin revealed that 35 Wagner fighters accompanied Prigozhin to the meeting, which lasted three hours.

According to Putin, he offered the Wagner troops several options, including continuing to operate under the command of someone identified as "Sedoy," who they had served under for 16 months.

Putin claimed that all of them could have gathered together and continued to serve, but Prigozhin, who was not in agreement, said that the fighters did not agree with this decision.

Putin attempted to downplay the actions of the Wagner fighters who marched on Moscow under Prigozhin's command, taking control of Russian territory and seeking the resignations of the president's Defense Minister and Chief of the General Staff.

"Everything is very simple and obvious to Russian society," Putin said.

"The ordinary Wagner fighters fought honorably, so...

the fact that they were dragged into these events is regrettable." The Russian president also offered possible options for the fighters' further service, including in combat.

Asked whether the Wagner Private Military Company would remain a fighting unit, Putin seemingly became agitated, saying: "The PMC Wagner does not exist! We have no law on private military organizations! It simply does not exist!" Putin's comments come after reports of a power struggle between him and Prigozhin, who has been accused of using the Wagner Group for personal gain.

The Pentagon has stated that since the attempted mutiny, Wagner is no longer "participating in any significant capacity in support of combat operations in Ukraine."