In the Ukrainian war, the private army Wagner, which supports Russia, has revolted. Images released by the Russian media outlet RT show Wagner’s armored vehicles on the streets of the city of Rostov. Following this, Russian President Putin addressed the nation and said, “Wagner has stabbed us in the back. They have challenged the military. They have betrayed the people of our country. We will protect the citizens at all costs.”
According to Al Jazeera’s report, Wagner has claimed to have seized control of the city of Rostov and the military headquarters located there. Wagner’s chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has also mentioned the intention to shoot down a Russian army helicopter. As a result, Moscow is on high alert, and the highway connecting to the capital has been closed.
Wagner Fighters and Armored Vehicles Spotted near Rostov Military Headquarters
The Russian media outlet RT has also released some videos, showing Wagner fighters and armored vehicles outside the military headquarters and on the streets of Rostov. According to The New York Times, considering the situation, the mayor of Rostov has appealed to people to stay indoors.
Moscow Deploys Russian Military and Armored Vehicles on Streets, Evacuates Government Offices
Reports from Al Jazeera indicate that there are armored vehicles and Russian military personnel on the streets of Moscow. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that counter-terrorism measures are being taken to strengthen security. Public events may be banned. FSB (Federal Security Service) offices in the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions are being evacuated. They are located on the route from Rostov to Moscow.
Treason Case Registered Against Prigozhin
Following President Vladimir Putin’s orders, the Russian investigative agency FSB has filed a case of treason against Wagner’s chief. He has been accused of inciting armed rebellion. It has been stated that he did not comply with any orders during the fighting, and he has been placed under arrest.
Tensions Escalate Following Missile Strike on Wagner Training Camp in Bakhmut
Russia has accused Prigozhin of attempting a coup on Saturday. According to Reuters, tensions between Russia and Wagner escalated after a missile attack on a private army’s training camp in Bakhmut, Ukraine. Several Wagner fighters were killed in the attack. Prigozhin had blamed the Kremlin for the incident.
Two significant statements on the collision…
1. Ready to die for our homeland: Prigozhin
According to the BBC, Prigozhin stated, “We have an army of 25,000 fighters. We have set our goal and are ready to die for it. We stand for our homeland and Russian citizens. They deserve to be liberated from those who are killing innocent people.”
2. Russian public supports Wagner: Putin’s opposition leader
According to the BBC, Putin’s opposition leader, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, has appealed to Russians to support Wagner’s chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Yevgeny has pledged to remove the Moscow military leadership. Mikhail stated, “If Wagner has decided to seize the Kremlin, then we will have to fight alongside them when the need arises.” After a disagreement with Putin, Prigozhin has already spent ten years in jail. Now he has decided to take action against the Russian President. This is just the beginning.
Wagner refused to join the Russian army
According to Reuters, just two weeks ago, the Russian Ministry of Defense issued an order to integrate all private fighters involved in the conflict in Ukraine into the Russian army. It was also mentioned that a contract with all private military personnel should be signed.
At that time, Russia’s largest private military, Wagner, refused to agree to the deal. Wagner’s owner, Prigozhin, stated, “We will not make any deals with the Ministry of Defense.”
Rapists and Hepatitis-C patients in Wagner’s army
Last year, on October 30, a report from the UK Ministry of Defense claimed that Wagner, under Prigozhin’s command, was recruiting AIDS and Hepatitis-C patients into Ukraine’s private army. The European newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported that more than 100 prisoners suffering from AIDS and Hepatitis were recruited into the private army.
The Daily Beast also stated in its investigative report that in Russia, convicts guilty of rape, homosexuals, and individuals with contagious diseases were being sent to the front lines forcibly.
Yevgeny Prigozhin was called Putin’s cook
The founder of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was also known as Putin’s cook. He used to run a restaurant where Putin would often go to eat. Gradually, he became a close associate of Putin. He started receiving multimillion-dollar contracts from the Russian government.
It is Yevgeny who funds the Wagner Group. Initially, he denied any connection to this group, but in 2022, he admitted that he is associated with it.
