Evgeny Prigozhin in Rostov-on-Don
Amid the developing large-scale offensive of the Kyiv regime on Russian forces in Zaporozhye Region and South Donetsk sector, the head of PMC Wagner Evgeny Prigozhin made a series of loud statements. He accused of the defense minister and the head of the General staff of various crimes as well as announcing the beginning of “the elimination of evil in the face of the military leadership of the country.”
Reacting to this situation, the anti-terrorism committee of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal investigation over calls for “armed rebellion”.
The FSB said that all of Prigozhin’s claims are “entirely unfounded”.
“We demand the immediate end to all illegal activity,” the statement said.
It should be noted that among the statements made by Prigozhin was the accusation of the Russian military of attack on a camp of Wagner members. Prigozhin even vowed to march on Moscow and hold those ‘responsible’ to account.
This statement became one of the most latest but not the only in a long series of contradictory comments by the public head of PMC Wagner.
As to the situation with the allegedly attacked camp of Wagner, the Russian Defense Ministry officially denied that it had taken place.
“All the messages and videos spread in social networks on behalf of E. Prigozhin about the alleged ‘strike’ of the Russian Ministry of Defence against the ‘rear camps of the Wagner PMC’ are untrue and are an informational provocation.
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to carry out combat tasks on the line of contact with the AFU in the area of the special military operation.”
The military has urged members of Wagner Group to cease their armed insurrection, urging them to return to their bases.
“We appeal to the fighters of the Wagner PMC assault units
You were tricked into Prigozhin’s criminal gamble and participation in an armed insurgency.
Many of your comrades from several detachments have already realised their mistake, asking for help in ensuring that they can return safely to their permanent bases.
We have already provided such assistance to all of these fighters and commanders.
Please show discretion and get in touch with representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defence or law enforcement agencies as soon as possible.
We guarantee everyone’s safety.”
A statement of the Deputy Commander of the Joint Group of Forces General of the Army Sergei Surovikin on the situation:
“I have just come from the frontline, where our troops, our commanders, our soldiers, our fighters, volunteers are carrying out the task, fighting the enemy to the death, with the superior forces of the enemy, suffering losses, but standing on their positions.
I appeal to the leadership, to the commanders and fighters of the Wagner PMC. Together with you we have passed a difficult, hard way, we have fought together, taken the risks, suffered losses, we have won together. We are the same blood, we are warriors.
I call you to stop. The enemy is only waiting for our domestic political situation to deteriorate. We must not play into the hands of the enemy at this difficult time for the country.
Before it is too late, we must do something – we must obey the will and order of the President of the Russian Federation, who was elected by the people, we must stop the columns, return them to their permanent bases and areas of concentration, and solve all the problems only peacefully, under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.”
As of June 24, battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and other military hardware have been spotted in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. Some of them were spotted near the HQ of Russia’s Southern Military District located in the city.
According to the position provided by Prigozhin and media channels linked to him, the main goal of actions of Wagner group is to initiate an objective investigation of actions of the Defense Ministry and the General Staff.
Click to see the full-size image
Click to see the full-size image
Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev announced that all public mass events in the city scheduled for the weekend have been cancelled. Public transport was operating, but downtown routes have been altered. Some restrictions were put in place on roads leading to the city of Taganrog, west of Rostov-on-Don, and to the north of the city. Vasily Golubev continues to act as the head of the administration of the region.
He also asked residents to avoid downtown Rostov-on-Don and, if possible, not to leave their homes.
The National Antiterrorist Committee of Russia already announced a “counter-terrorist operation regime” in Moscow and Moscow Region. Voronezh Governor Aleksandr Gusev announced that all local mass public gatherings in the near future have been canceled.
The M4 highway moving from Lipetsk to Voronezh was reportedly blocked because of the traffic jam.
At the same time, Russian security forces entered the PMC Wagner Center in St. Petersburg, indicative of imminent searches. Local media reported that at least two buses with riot police pulled over near the building. The situation in the area remained calm.
Using the situation with Prigozhon-announced rebellion attempt, the Kyiv regime reportedly launched a large attack on the area of Bakhmut (Artemovsk).
“Taking advantage of Prigozhin’s provocation to disrupt the situation, the Kiev regime is concentrating units of the 35th and the 36th marine brigades of the AFU in Bakhmut tactical direction at the initial line for offensive actions.
The servicemen of the Yug Group of Forces are defeating the enemy with air and artillery strikes,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
Regardless the situation, the actions of Prigozhin and loyal to him part of Wagner units apparently play into the hands of the enemies of Russia.
