Russia Releases Rebel Leader, "Considering Amendments to Related Laws"

Russia is reportedly considering revising related laws following the mutiny incident involving the mercenary company Wagner Group.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesperson
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 28th (local time), according to foreign media including TASS, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, responded to reporters' questions about the need to amend laws to punish the rebellion as stated above.

Under current Russian law, armed rebellion can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years. However, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, was exempted from punishment on the condition of halting the rebellion. This has raised controversies regarding the effectiveness and fairness of law enforcement. Prigozhin is currently exiled in Belarus.

Regarding whether Russian military instructors active in Africa will support the Wagner Group locally, Peskov said, "Instructors cooperating at the national level will continue their activities," but drew a clear line by stating, "The Wagner Group has its own business unrelated to the state." On the other hand, he said there is no clear position yet on the future operational direction of the Wagner Group within Russia and that discussions will continue.

Regarding the early morning airstrike on a restaurant in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, which killed 10 people and injured over 50, he reiterated the position that all airstrikes target only military objectives.

Meanwhile, he refuted a UN report alleging that Russian forces violated children's rights during the Ukraine war by stating, "Russian forces rescued children from shelling."

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