In a recent development, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the private army known as the Wagner Group, claimed that his fighters had crossed the border from Ukraine into Russia, specifically entering the city of Rostov. Prigozhin issued a warning, stating that his men would destroy anyone who opposed them. To ensure the safety of citizens, the local governor urged them to remain calm and stay indoors.
Wagner Group further alleged that his forces had shot down a Russian military helicopter that had purportedly attacked a civilian convoy. However, the location of the incident was not provided, and the claim could not be immediately verified.
The Wagner Group, consisting of mercenaries, has been operating alongside the regular Russian army in Ukraine. Tensions have recently escalated between Prigozhin and the Russian military leadership due to disagreements over the conduct of the war. Prigozhin accused the military of launching a deadly missile strike on his troops, promising retaliation. However, he did not present any evidence to support his claims.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the private army known as the Wagner Group, has called for the “evil” in Russia’s military leadership to be stopped and has vowed to march for justice. In an audio message posted on Telegram, he stated that those responsible for the deaths of Russian soldiers in the war in Ukraine would be punished. He warned against resistance, stating that anyone who opposed his actions would be considered a threat and destroyed. Prigozhin clarified that his actions were not a military coup but a march of justice that would not interfere with the regular troops. Russian President Vladimir Putin is being kept updated on the situation, and security has been heightened in Moscow. The governor of Russia’s Lipetsk region has advised residents not to travel south, and security measures are being tightened in the region. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence is monitoring the situation, and the White House is also keeping an eye on developments. Meanwhile, senior Russian commanders have called on Wagner Group to halt his actions and not play into the hands of the enemy.
Russian state media has reported that the FSB, Russia’s security services, have initiated a criminal case against Yevgeny Prigozhin, accusing him of inciting an armed rebellion and attempting to instigate armed civil conflict within Russia. The FSB has allegedly called on Wagner fighters to disregard Prigozhin’s orders and take measures to apprehend him.
In response, Russia’s defense ministry issued a statement refuting Prigozhin’s claims about Russian strikes on Wagner camps, labeling them as false information intended to provoke. This development follows a video message from Prigozhin in May, where he criticized Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov for inadequate ammunition supply, while being surrounded by the bodies of his troops.
Furthermore, Prigozhin stated that the war in Ukraine was initiated to facilitate Shoigu’s promotion to the rank of Marshal. He accused the Ministry of Defense of deceiving the public, including the president, by presenting a narrative of Ukraine and NATO planning aggression against Russia.
