The owner of the private military contractor, Wagner, has taken his challenge against the Kremlin to a new level. He called for an armed rebellion to remove Russia’s defense minister from power. This move prompted the security services to launch a criminal investigation into Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner.
Prigozhin released a series of video and audio recordings accusing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering a rocket strike on Wagner’s field camps in Ukraine. These camps house troops fighting on behalf of Russia. Prigozhin declared that his troops would take action against Shoigu through an armed rebellion and urged the army not to resist.
The Defense Ministry denied carrying out the rocket attack, while the National Anti-Terrorism Committee opened an investigation into Prigozhin for inciting armed rebellion. President Vladimir Putin was informed about the situation.
The FSB, part of the security services, called on Wagner’s contract soldiers to arrest Prigozhin and refuse to follow his orders. They referred to his statements as a betrayal to Russian troops and accused him of inciting armed conflict within Russia. General Sergei Surovikin, deputy commander of Russia’s Ukraine campaign, also urged Wagner fighters to abandon their opposition and return to their bases.
The Kremlin responded to the threat seriously by deploying riot police and the National Guard to enhance security at key facilities in Moscow. The FSB called for Wagner to ignore Prigozhin and assist in apprehending him.
The chief prosecutor of Russia justified the criminal investigation, stating that an armed rebellion charge could lead to up to 20 years of imprisonment.
Wagner’s forces have played a significant role in the war in Ukraine and have succeeded in capturing the city of Bakhmut, where the most intense battles have taken place. Prigozhin frequently criticizes Russia’s military leadership for incompetence and neglecting his troops’ needs for weapons and ammunition. However, his accusations and call for armed rebellion mark a direct challenge.
The Russian Defense Ministry required all military contractors to sign contracts by July 1, but Prigozhin, who has had a long-standing feud with the ministry, refused to comply. He expressed a willingness to compromise but felt betrayed by the Defense Ministry’s actions.
Security was heightened in Rostov-on-Don, where the Russian military headquarters is located, and in Moscow. Armored vehicles were observed on the streets of Moscow.
In other news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised concerns about a potential Russian attack on the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Zelenskyy called on other countries to take the threat seriously and put pressure on Moscow. The Kremlin denied the threat, but experts have warned of the potential for a radiation disaster at the plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency has been unsuccessful in negotiating a safety perimeter for the plant.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with ongoing attacks and counteroffensives. Russia fired cruise missiles at a military airfield, but Ukrainian air defenses intercepted them. The attack was in response to alleged Ukrainian-fired missiles damaging a key bridge. Russia has also intensified its efforts to gain more ground in eastern Ukraine.
Overall, the situation between Wagner, the Russian Defense Ministry, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is escalating. The owner’s call for armed rebellion against the defense minister has prompted criminal investigations and heightened security measures. The threat to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant adds further tension to the region.
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