Overview

• Former Russian commander Igor Girkin claims the Wagner mercenary army and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin pose an active threat to Putin's control.
• The Wagner army is Putin's private military force made up largely of mercenaries fighting in Ukraine.
• Prigozhin recently critized Russia's military leadership and suggested replacing top government officials.
• Girkin worries Russia is heading towards defeat in Ukraine and the invasion is damaging Russia.
• Prigozhin insists Wagner simply wants reforms in Russia and is too small to overthrow Putin, though US officials estimate it has up to 50,000 soldiers in Ukraine with major casualties.