Putin says Wagner group has no legal basis so 'doesn't exist'

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Wagner private military company "simply doesn't exist" as a legal entity, in comments adding to the series of often bizarre twists that have followed the group's abortive revolt last month - the most serious threat to Putin's 23-year rule amid the war in Ukraine.

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"There is no law on private military organizations. It simply doesn't exist," Putin told a Russian newspaper late Thursday, referring to the Wagner group.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the status of companies such as Wagner was "rather complicated" and needed to be studied.

Asked if new legislation was likely on the status of private military companies, he said: "This question will at least be under consideration."