The Russian Invasion

Andrei Troshev at a banquet in Moscow, 2016. Kremlin  

The Russian InvasionThe Battles  

Prigozhin's replacement is sent to Ukraine by Putin  

One of the Wagner Group's founders, Andrey Troshev, is assigned to oversee "volunteer combat units" in Ukraine, the Kremlin says, according to Reuters. 

Troshev, known in the military as "Gray Hair", was already pointed out in July as the new potential leader of the paramilitary group after Yevgeny Prigozhin. So now he gets a formal assignment – an assignment that comes directly from Vladimir Putin.  

The Wagner group has had no presence in Ukraine since the uprising at the end of June, but the fact that Troshev has now been seen with the Russian president is interpreted, according to the news agency, as Russia having regained control of the paramilitary group.  

According to Reuters, Troshev is expected to be given responsibility for what remains of the Wagner Group.  

The Paralympics will be held in Paris next year. Michel Euler / AP  

Paralympics The twist: Russian athletes are invited to the Paralympics  

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) overrules the active and decides that Russians may take part in the Paralympics in Paris next year, reports Reuters.  

This is clear after the IPC voted on the matter on Friday.  

Before the meeting, the organization Global Athlete had taken a position on the issue. The organization, which stands close to the activists, claimed that it is not possible to stand under a neutral flag in a sporting context. And had therefore recommended that both Russia and Belarus be excluded.  

According to the IPC, the issue went to a vote with the outcome 74–65.  

The International Olympic Committee has not yet made a decision on whether Russian actives will also be welcomed to the Summer Olympics.