Russia Internal Conflict?… Armed Rebellion Accusation Against Prigozhin "Will Go to the End"

Prigozhin Threatens "Punishment of Defense Minister," Arrest Warrant Issued
Major Conflict with Russian Military Leadership Since Last Month
Ukraine Also "Monitoring the Situation"

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the private military company Wagner Group and a close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin who led the invasion of Ukraine, is expected to be investigated on charges of rebellion.

According to local state-run RIA Novosti news agency and others, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office announced on the 23rd (local time) that Prigozhin's actions, which incited an armed rebellion to oust the Russian Defense Minister, will "receive an appropriate legal evaluation within the framework of a criminal case."

Earlier, Prigozhin accused Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu of ordering missile strikes on Wagner's rear camps, claiming on Telegram that "many of my subordinates were killed or wounded by missiles launched by the Russian regular army."

He also threatened that his forces would move to punish Minister Shoigu. Prigozhin said, "We are 25,000 strong, and we will find out why lawlessness has occurred in this country."

He further claimed that high-ranking Russian military officials, including Minister Shoigu, blinded by their lust for power, deceived President Putin and started the war in Ukraine.

The Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee denied Prigozhin's claims, stating, "Prigozhin's statements are completely unfounded." It also announced that the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has launched an investigation into Prigozhin's call for armed rebellion.

Head of the Russian private military company Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

The FSB reportedly urged Wagner Group mercenaries "not to follow criminal and deceptive orders" and called for Prigozhin to be captured and handed over to the authorities.

In response, on the 24th, Prigozhin strongly opposed in a voice message posted on Telegram, saying, "Wagner mercenaries have crossed the Ukrainian border and entered the southern Russian city of Rostov," and "We will destroy anyone who obstructs us." He emphasized, "This is not a coup but a march of justice," and "We are ready to go all the way."

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said on the same day, "Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware of the situation surrounding Prigozhin," and that necessary measures are being taken. Major foreign media reported that security around Moscow has been tightened in preparation for the possibility of the Wagner Group attacking the Russian Defense Ministry and others.

The Wagner Group captured Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, the largest battleground in the Ukraine war, last month but had a major conflict with the Russian military leadership during the process.

At that time, Prigozhin threatened, saying, "The Russian Defense Ministry deliberately did not properly supply ammunition and other logistics to Wagner Group mercenaries," and warned, "We may withdraw from Bakhmut."

As the conflict escalated, Minister Shoigu recently ordered all irregular forces to sign formal contracts with the Defense Ministry. President Putin also expressed support for the Defense Ministry's policy, backing Minister Shoigu. This led to interpretations locally that Prigozhin was effectively abandoned.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is closely monitoring this situation in Russia. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Defense Ministry Military Intelligence Directorate, posted on Twitter, "Russian factions have started devouring each other over power and money," and added, "We are watching."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.