Owner of Wagner Private Military Contractor Calls for Armed Rebellion Against Russian Defense Minister
In a bold move that directly challenges the Kremlin, the owner of the Wagner private military contractor, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has called for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russia’s defense minister. The security services wasted no time in responding, calling for Prigozhin’s immediate arrest.
The seriousness with which the Kremlin is taking this threat is evident in the heightened security measures implemented in Moscow and Rostov-on-Don, the headquarters for the Russian military in the southern region and the overseeing of fighting in Ukraine.
The outcome of this confrontation remains uncertain, but it is likely to hinder Moscow’s war effort as Ukrainian forces are currently probing Russian defenses in the initial stages of a counteroffensive. The dispute, particularly if Prigozhin were to succeed, could also have repercussions for President Vladimir Putin and his ability to maintain a united front.
Prigozhin claimed that his forces had crossed into Russia from Ukraine and had reached Rostov without facing any resistance from young conscripts at checkpoints. He stated that his forces “aren’t fighting against children” but warned that they would destroy anyone who stands in their way.
According to Prigozhin, the chief of the General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, ordered warplanes to strike Wagner’s convoys, which were driving alongside ordinary vehicles. He also alleged that his forces shot down a Russian military helicopter that fired on a civilian convoy, although there is no independent confirmation of these claims.
While there is no confirmation yet on Russian social networks that Wagner convoys have entered Rostov-on-Don, videos posted online show armored vehicles, including tanks, stationed on the streets and troops moving into position. It remains unclear whether these forces are under Wagner or military command. Earlier, heavy trucks were seen blocking highways leading into the city, and long convoys of National Guard trucks were observed on a road.
The governor of the Voronezh region, located just north of Rostov-on-Don, advised residents to stay off the road as a column of military vehicles was moving along the main highway.
Prigozhin stated that Wagner field camps in Ukraine were struck by rockets, helicopter gunships, and artillery fire on orders from Gerasimov following a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. He accused Russia’s military brass of incompetence and of starving his troops of weapons and ammunition.
Prigozhin, who claims to have 25,000 troops under his command, called for an armed rebellion against Shoigu and urged the army not to offer resistance, describing it as a “march of justice.” In response, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, part of the Federal Security Services (FSB), charged him with calling for an armed rebellion, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The FSB called his statements a “stab in the back to Russian troops” and accused him of fomenting armed conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Putin has been informed about the situation and that “all the necessary measures were being taken.”
The situation in Moscow remains tense, with heavy military trucks and armored vehicles seen in several parts of the city. Soldiers carrying assault rifles have been deployed outside the main building of the Defense Ministry, and the area around the presidential administration near Red Square has been blocked, causing traffic disruptions.
Despite the heightened military presence, downtown bars and restaurants are filled with customers, and people were even seen dancing in the street near the entrance of a club close to the FSB headquarters.
Moscow’s mayor announced that counterterrorism measures, including increased control of roads and possible restrictions on mass gatherings, are underway.
Prigozhin’s feud with the Defense Ministry dates back years, and he had refused to comply with a requirement for military contractors to sign contracts with the ministry before July 1. In a statement, he claimed that the ministry had treacherously cheated them and carried out a rocket strike on their rear camps, resulting in the deaths of many comrades. The Defense Ministry denied attacking the Wagner camps.
Prigozhin alleged that Shoigu personally directed the strike and then fled cowardly. He called for an end to the “evil embodied by the country’s military leadership.”
Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya predicted that this would be the end of Prigozhin, stating that “now that the state has actively engaged, there’s no turning back.” She believes that the termination of Prigozhin and Wagner is imminent, with the only variable being the degree of resistance from the Wagner group.
Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alexeyev, a top military officer, denounced Prigozhin’s move as madness that threatens civil war. He described it as a “stab in the back to the country and the president” and suggested that such a provocation could only be staged by enemies of Russia.
The Defense Ministry released a statement claiming that Ukraine is concentrating troops for an attack around Bakhmut, taking advantage of Prigozhin’s provocation. It stated that Russian artillery and warplanes were firing on Ukrainian forces as they prepared for an offensive.
The Institute for the Study of War in Washington believes that Prigozhin intends for Wagner to move against the Ministry of Defense leadership and forcibly remove them from power, possibly in Rostov-on-Don or even Moscow. However, it is highly unlikely that Putin would accept any armed rebellion, as it would cause irreparable damage to his perceived hold on power.
The White House’s National Security Council is monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments, according to Adam Hodge.
Michael Kofman, director of Russia Studies at the CAN research group, views Prigozhin’s actions as a desperate act. He is skeptical that it will end well for Prigozhin or Wagner, unless others of significance join him.
In Kyiv, a Russian missile attack caused a fire on several floors of a 24-story apartment building, killing at least two people and injuring eight. Falling debris from the attack was responsible for the blaze. The city’s military administration head, Serhii Popko, reported that more than 20 missiles were detected and destroyed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on other countries to take heed of warnings that Russia may be planning to attack an occupied nuclear power plant to cause a radiation disaster. Zelenskyy expects other nations to exert pressure on Moscow to prevent such an attack. The Kremlin denies that the threat to the plant is coming from Russian forces.
The potential for a life-threatening release of radiation has been a concern since Russian troops invaded Ukraine and seized the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power station. The U.N.’s atomic energy agency has been monitoring the situation closely.Owner of Wagner Private Military Contractor Calls for Armed Rebellion Against Russian Defense Minister
In a bold move that directly challenges the Kremlin, the owner of the Wagner private military contractor, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has called for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russia’s defense minister. The security services wasted no time in responding, calling for Prigozhin’s immediate arrest.
The seriousness with which the Kremlin is taking this threat is evident in the heightened security measures implemented in Moscow and Rostov-on-Don, the headquarters for the Russian military in the southern region and the overseeing of the fighting in Ukraine.
The outcome of this confrontation remains uncertain, but it is likely to hinder Moscow’s war effort as Ukrainian forces are probing Russian defenses in the initial stages of a counteroffensive. The dispute, particularly if Prigozhin were to succeed, could also have repercussions for President Vladimir Putin and his ability to maintain a united front.
Prigozhin claimed that his forces had crossed into Russia from Ukraine and had reached Rostov without facing any resistance from young conscripts at checkpoints. He vowed to destroy anyone who stands in their way and declared that they will continue their march until the end.
According to Prigozhin, the chief of the General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, ordered warplanes to strike Wagner’s convoys, which were driving alongside ordinary vehicles. He also alleged that his forces shot down a Russian military helicopter that fired on a civilian convoy, although there is no independent confirmation of these claims.
While there is no confirmation yet on Russian social networks that Wagner convoys have entered Rostov-on-Don, videos posted online show armored vehicles, including tanks, stationed on the streets and troops moving into position. It remains unclear whether these forces are under Wagner or military command. Earlier, heavy trucks were seen blocking highways leading into the city, and long convoys of National Guard trucks were observed on a road.
The governor of the Voronezh region, located just north of Rostov-on-Don, advised residents to stay off the road as a column of military vehicles was moving along the main highway.
Prigozhin accused Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering the destruction of Wagner field camps in Ukraine through rocket strikes, helicopter gunships, and artillery fire. He claimed that Shoigu personally directed the strike and then fled cowardly.
The National Anti-Terrorism Committee, part of the Federal Security Services (FSB), charged Prigozhin with calling for an armed rebellion, which carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison. The FSB urged Wagner’s contract soldiers to arrest Prigozhin and refuse to follow his “criminal and treacherous orders,” stating that his statements amounted to fomenting armed conflict and were a stab in the back to Russian troops.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Putin was informed about the situation and that all necessary measures were being taken.
The situation in Moscow remains tense, with heavy military trucks and armored vehicles seen in several parts of the city. Soldiers carrying assault rifles have been deployed outside the main building of the Defense Ministry, and the area around the presidential administration near Red Square has been blocked, causing traffic congestion.
Despite the heightened military presence, downtown bars and restaurants are filled with customers, and people were even seen dancing in the street near the entrance of a club close to the FSB headquarters.
Prigozhin’s feud with the Defense Ministry dates back years, and he had refused to comply with a requirement for military contractors to sign contracts with the ministry before July 1. In a statement, he expressed readiness to find a compromise but accused the ministry of treacherously cheating them.
The Defense Ministry denied attacking the Wagner camps and stated that Ukraine was concentrating troops for an attack around Bakhmut, taking advantage of Prigozhin’s provocation. It added that Russian artillery and warplanes were firing on Ukrainian forces as they prepared for an offensive.
The Institute for the Study of War in Washington believes that Prigozhin intends for Wagner to move against the Ministry of Defense leadership and forcibly remove them from power, possibly in Rostov-on-Don or even Moscow. However, it is highly unlikely that Putin would accept any armed rebellion, as it would cause irreparable damage to his perceived hold on power.
The White House’s National Security Council is closely monitoring the situation and plans to consult with allies and partners on these developments.
Political analysts predict that this could be the end for Prigozhin, as the state has actively engaged, leaving no turning back. The termination of Prigozhin and Wagner seems imminent, with the only variable being the degree of resistance from the Wagner group. Efforts are being made to convince them to surrender, as confrontation appears futile.
A Russian missile attack in Kyiv resulted in the death of at least two people and injured eight. Falling debris caused a fire on several floors of a 24-story apartment building in a central district. The head of the city’s military administration reported that more than 20 missiles were detected and destroyed.
In other developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on other countries to take heed of warnings that Russia may be planning to attack an occupied nuclear power plant to cause a radiation disaster. Zelenskyy expects other nations to exert pressure on Moscow to prevent such an attack. The Kremlin denies that the threat to the plant is coming from Russian forces.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has noted that the military situation has become increasingly tense amid the Ukrainian counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia province, where the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is located, and in an adjacent part of Donetsk province. Concerns about a life-threatening release of radiation have been present since Russian troops invaded Ukraine and seized the plant last year. Efforts to establish a safety perimeter around the facility have been unsuccessful.
How could Yevgeny Prigozhin’s call for an armed rebellion impact Moscow’s ongoing war efforts?
In a daring act of defiance against the Russian government, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner private military company, has called for an armed rebellion aimed at removing Russia’s defense minister from power. The Kremlin has responded swiftly, demanding Prigozhin’s immediate arrest.
The seriousness of the situation is evident in the increased security measures put in place in Moscow and Rostov-on-Don, where the Russian military headquarters is located. This confrontation has the potential to disrupt Moscow’s ongoing war efforts, as Ukrainian forces are currently testing Russian defenses in a counteroffensive. Furthermore, if Prigozhin were successful, it could have implications for President Vladimir Putin’s ability to maintain a united front.
Prigozhin claims that his forces have entered Russia from Ukraine without facing any resistance from young conscripts at checkpoints. He asserts that his forces will destroy anyone who stands in their way but clarifies that they “aren’t fighting against children.” However, there is no independent confirmation of these claims, including his allegations that Russian warplanes struck Wagner convoys and that his forces shot down a Russian military helicopter.
While it is unclear whether the stationed troops and armored vehicles in Rostov-on-Don are under Wagner or military command, there are reports of heavy trucks blocking highways and National Guard trucks on the move. In the neighboring Voronezh region, the governor has advised residents to stay off the roads as a column of military vehicles is passing through.
Prigozhin accused Russia’s military leadership of incompetence and neglecting his troops’ supply of weapons and ammunition. He called for an armed rebellion against Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, urging the army not to resist. These statements led to the National Anti-Terrorism Committee charging Prigozhin with inciting armed rebellion. The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. The FSB, Russia’s Federal Security Services, described his remarks as a betrayal of Russian troops and accused him of instigating armed conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Putin has been informed of the situation and that appropriate measures are being taken. The situation in Moscow remains tense, with heavy military presence and roadblocks causing traffic disruptions. Counterterrorism measures, including increased road control and potential restrictions on mass gatherings, have been implemented.
Prigozhin’s animosity towards the Defense Ministry dates back years, with his refusal to sign contracts with the ministry leading to the current dispute. He accuses the ministry of cheating and attacking Wagner camps. However, the Defense Ministry denies launching any offensive against Wagner.
Political analysts predict that Prigozhin’s rebellion is unlikely to succeed, with the state now actively involved. Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alexeyev denounced Prigozhin’s actions as madness and a threat to civil war. He suggested that only enemies of Russia would stage such a provocation.
The Defense Ministry released a statement claiming that Ukraine is taking advantage of Prigozhin’s provocation to concentrate its troops for an attack around Bakhmut. In response, Russian artillery and warplanes are firing on Ukrainian forces preparing for an offensive.
The Institute for the Study of War believes that Prigozhin is aiming to remove the Ministry of Defense leadership from power, potentially in Rostov-on-Don or even Moscow. However, it is highly unlikely that Putin would accept an armed rebellion, as it would damage his perceived hold on power.
This article showcases an alarming escalation in tensions, with a private military contractor calling for armed rebellion against the Russian Defense Minister in Ukraine. The situation is deeply concerning and highlights the volatility of the region. Immediate de-escalation efforts are crucial to prevent further bloodshed and protect innocent lives.