TASS news agency on June 24 quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov had reported to President Vladimir Putin on the investigation into the suspected plotting of rebellion by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner private military group. According to the report, Mr. Krasnov proposed to prosecute the Wagner boss on charges of armed rebellion.
CNN also reported that US President Joe Biden was informed about the situation in Russia following the statements of Wagner's founder.
Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin
The information came after Mr. Prigozhin announced on June 24 that his forces had reached Rostov province without encountering any resistance from regular Russian troops at checkpoints. Rostov is the headquarters of the Russian military in the southern region, tasked with monitoring the conflict in Ukraine.
Mr Prigozhin warned that his group would destroy anyone who stood in their way. "We are moving forward and will go to the end," AP quoted boss Wagner as saying.
Russian Defense Ministry Accuses Wagner Leader of Rebellion, FSB Is Investigating
Previously, Mr. Prigozhin made a series of statements that were said to incite rebellion against the Russian Defense Ministry because he believed that the ministry was trying to destroy his forces.
On June 23, he said that Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov had sent fighter jets to attack Wagner convoys that were traveling alongside conventional vehicles. Prigozhin said Wagner field camps in Ukraine had been attacked with missiles, helicopters and artillery fire on Gerasimov’s orders after a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Mr Prigozhin said his forces would “punish” Mr Shoigu in an armed rebellion and called on the military not to resist. “This is not a military coup, but a march of justice,” Mr Prigozhin said.
Wagner has played a key role in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, assisting the regular army in seizing control of the strategic city of Bakhmut (Donetsk Oblast). However, Prigozhin has frequently criticized the Russian military, accusing it of incompetence and “starving” his troops of weapons and ammunition.
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