Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee has ordered Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner private military group, to stop his illegal actions and said the Federal Security Service (FSB) has begun an investigation into possible sedition in connection with his recent statements.
"The statements being circulated in the name of Yevgeny Prigozhin are completely groundless. In connection with these statements, the Federal Security Service of Russia has initiated an investigation into the call for rebellion. We demand that illegal actions be stopped immediately," the committee said in a statement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov
The statement came after the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that reports circulating on social media alleging that the Russian Armed Forces had carried out an attack on "Wagner's positions in the rear" were false.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier on June 23 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been briefed on the ongoing situation surrounding Mr. Prigozhin and that necessary measures were being taken.
Russian Defense Ministry Accuses Wagner Leader of Rebellion, Russian Security Opens Investigation
Earlier, in a series of recordings that appeared late on June 23, Mr. Prigozhin accused a Russian missile attack of killing many of his fighters, vowing "revenge," The Guardian reported.
Prigozhin also released another video , which he said showed the aftermath of a missile attack on a Wagner group in southern Russia’s Rostov region. In another statement, Prigozhin said he had 25,000 fighters and called on people to “find the cause of the chaos in the country.” “Whoever wants to join, join. We need to end this mess,” Prigozhin said. “Anyone who tries to resist, we will consider them a danger and destroy them immediately, including any checkpoints on our way, and any aircraft we see above us.”
Leader Wagner also asked people to stay calm, “not to succumb to provocations” and stay at home.
The series of statements marked an unprecedented escalation of the internal conflict between Mr. Prigozhin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia's senior military commanders.
Amid rumors that Wagner groups had moved, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, deputy commander of Russia’s operations in Ukraine, released a video message addressed to the group. “I urge you to stop. The opponents are waiting for the internal political situation in our country to worsen,” said Mr. Surovikin, who was previously said to be close to Mr. Prigozhin.
It is unclear what Mr Prigozhin’s intentions were or whether his threats were directed at the Kremlin, but prosecutors say he could face between 12 and 20 years in prison.
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