Wagner Group CEO Yevgeny Prigozhin has issued a threat to confront Russia’s military chiefs, expressing his willingness to go all the way.
In an audio message shared on Telegram, Prigozhin claimed that his fighters had crossed from Ukraine into Rostov, Russia, and would retaliate against anyone who tried to impede their actions.
Prigozhin Alleges 2,000 Wagner Group Fighters Killed in Explosions
This marks his latest provocation, as Russian authorities have announced an investigation into Prigozhin for allegedly plotting to overthrow Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. On Friday, Prigozhin accused Shoigu of orchestrating a missile attack on Wagner’s field camps in Ukraine, where Russian fighters are engaged in combat.
In the audio message on Telegram, Prigozhin condemned the missile strikes and their devastating impact on Wagner Group forces, lamenting the loss of numerous colleagues. He called for an end to the military’s malevolence and highlighted the disregard for soldiers and justice.
Prigozhin claimed that the explosions resulted in the deaths of 2,000 of his fighters, although he could not provide evidence to support this claim.
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US Monitors Putin’s Domestic Challenge
The Russian government viewed his statements as incitement to mutiny. Prigozhin further stated that there are 25,000 individuals aligned with him, and they intend to investigate the ongoing turmoil in the country. He asserted that they possessed additional forces and military support and called upon others to join their cause in stopping what he deemed a disgrace.
Prigozhin’s statements have heightened the longstanding dispute between him and the Russian defense ministry. The ministry dismissed Prigozhin’s allegations as inaccurate and characterized them as an attempt to provoke discord.
The Russian FSB security service has initiated criminal proceedings against Prigozhin for inciting armed rebellion, according to reports from TASS citing the National Anti-terrorism Committee.
The FSB stated that Prigozhin’s remarks and actions constitute a call to initiate an armed internal conflict within the Russian Federation, which undermines Russian personnel engaged in battling pro-fascist Ukrainian forces. The United States, through National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge, has confirmed that they are monitoring the situation and engaging in consultations with allies.
The exact details of the standoff remain unclear, but it appears to be President Putin’s most significant domestic challenge since the deployment of hundreds of troops into Ukraine in February of the previous year, which he referred to as a unique military operation.
The Wagner Group played a big role in the most recent Russian onslaught on Bakhmut and Soledar, said Ali Hashem, a correspondent based in Donetsk. Additionally, over a considerable amount of time, tensions between the Wagner Group and the defense ministry have gradually increased.
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