Russia, Releasing Prigozhin While Punishing Its Own Air Force Pilots?

Wagner Attack Order Refusal Puts Individual at Risk of Criminal Charges

Russian Air Force pilots reportedly face punishment for refusing to follow orders to fire on the Wagner Group mercenaries who previously staged an armed rebellion.

On the 30th (local time), according to the US Business Insider, the investigation into military personnel who failed to stop the Wagner mercenaries advancing near Moscow, the Russian capital, is expanding to include Air Force pilots.

Russian military blogger Romanov stated, "Pilots who refused the Wagner attack orders are at risk of criminal charges," adding, "At least four Russian pilots refused the attack orders due to concerns about damage to nearby civilian vehicles."

Investigations are also underway regarding Russian border guards. They are suspected of allowing the Wagner mercenaries to enter Russia.

Earlier, thousands of Wagner mercenaries seized the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on the 24th and advanced toward Moscow, shooting down six Russian military helicopters and one Ilyushin (IL)-22 airborne command and control aircraft. At least 13 Russian soldiers died during this process. However, some Russian Air Force pilots did not carry out attack orders against the rebels due to concerns about civilian casualties.

Russian military bloggers have expressed disbelief over the punishment of the Air Force pilots. Given that Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and the rebellion participants were granted immunity from prosecution, critics argue that punishing Russian Air Force pilots for refusing attack orders is inconsistent.

Earlier, Russia decided to grant the mercenaries immunity from criminal responsibility as Prigozhin agreed to withdraw and go into exile in Belarus through Belarusian mediation.

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