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June 29 (UPI) — On Thursday, a Russian politician supported the claim that Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was asked to sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense before the mercenary group’s revolt.
According to Russian state-run outlets TASS and RIA Novosti, Russia’s State Duma Defense Committee member Andrey Kartapolov stated that “all groups and units that perform combat tasks” were instructed to sign a contract with the Defense Ministry in the days leading up to the Wagner forces’ march on Moscow.
“Everyone began to comply with this decision, which was absolutely correct. Everyone except Mr. Prigozhin,” he said.
Kartapolov further revealed that Prigozhin was informed that if he refused to sign the contract, his forces would be barred from participating in the Ukraine war and would not receive funding or supplies.
“It came down to this: first, there was money; second, there were foolish and excessive ambitions; and third, there was an agitated state of mind. All of these factors combined led to an attempt at high treason and the betrayal of his fellow soldiers,” Kartapolov said.
On Monday, Prigozhin stated that the revolt was not intended to overthrow Russian President Vladimir Putin, but rather to oppose the signing of the contracts.
“We did not march to overthrow Russia’s leadership,” he said in the video. “The purpose of the march was to prevent the destruction of Wagner and to hold accountable the officials who, through their unprofessional actions, have made numerous mistakes.”
The conflict between Prigozhin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had been brewing for months, primarily over the battle in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Prigozhin frequently criticized the defense minister for the lack of battlefield support in videos posted on Wagner-affiliated Telegram channels.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed to have brokered a deal to end the mutiny and stated that Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Putin also offered the Wagner fighters the option to join the Russian Defenses, relocate to Belarus with Prigozhin, or return home.
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