ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Evgeny Prigozhin
On June 24, Evgeny Prigozhin, the public head of PMC Wagner, made another statement claiming that he and his fighters are not going to surrender and lay down arms.
“And no one is going to turn themselves in at the request of the president, the FSB or anyone else…” All those who oppose him, Prigozhin called “rallied round the scum.”
On top of this, Prigozhin described himself as a real ‘patriot’ making another round of accusations against Russian leadership. With such populist statement, the Wagner head apparently tries to get public support in the country, something what he really lacks in the current situation.
This statement was made by Prigozhin in response to earlier nation address of Russian President Vladimir Putin (LINK).
Now the situation definitely has signs that the ongoing developments are the anti-Russian armed rebellion aimed against the interests of the Russian nation and the Russian state.
A column of Wagner vehicles passed Voronezh in the direction of Moscow. According to reports, the infantry units were moving in tented trucks. There are no confirmed reports about the number of Wagner personnel involved in the
An armed vehicle allegedly belonging to Wagner in Voronezh region:
Click to see the full-size image
Click to see the full-size image
Meanwhile, reports appeared that Wagner forces shot down at least one Mi-8 helicopter of the Russian Armed Forces.
Click to see the full-size image
Unconfirmed reports claim that an IL-8 aircraft was also shot down:
Local media in Voronezh added that Wagner fighters tried to shot down a Ka-52 helicopter of the Russian military with a Strela air-defense system. Nonetheless, they were not able to do this. At the same time, reports about fire on a local oil depot appeared online.
An interesting fact is that actions of Prigozhin immediately found support among anti-Russian forces aboard. In particular, oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky that hides outside Russia and sponsors various anti-Russian initiatives already pledged his support to Prigozhin.
Public figures affiliated with the armed forces and special services of the Kyiv regime have stated that ‘Ukraine’ has all chances to use the situation to break through the Russian defense in the Donbass and Crimea as well as destabilize Belarus.
Politicians and mainstream media of the United States, NATO member states and affiliated countries also show their full approval of the anti-Russian rebellion. In the event of the further development of tensions, this approval will likely be expressed on highest level.
Reports appear the Polish Armed Forces are being put on high alert.
On the other hand, the Prigozhin-led rebellion found close to no real support in Russia. Governors of Russian regions, politicians and influential public figures are expressing their support to the Russian President and the state.
The division line between the really patriotic Russian community and the populists trying sell interests of the nation for self-profit under the ‘patriotic banner’ became pretty clear.
The situation is developing.
