A Wagner mercenary chief calls for armed rebellion against the Russian military
In a new video, Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin warns that his troops have reached a crucial Russian city. Just a day earlier, Mr Prigozhin called for a rebellion against Russia's defense minister Sergei Shoigu. In the new video on Saturday, he demanded Mr Shoigu and Russia's top general Valery Gerasimov meet him at the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don city.
In the video, Mr Prigozhin said, “We have arrived here, and we want to welcome Shoigu and the chief of the general staff.” The statement comes as videos of tanks and armed men in Rostov began circulating on Russian Telegram channels amid coup fears. Unless they arrive, we’ll be here, blockade Rostov and head toward Moscow.
Wagner forces played a crucial role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but Mr Prigozhin has increasingly criticised the Russian military brass, accusing it of incompetence and starving his troops of ammunition. According to the Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee, Mr Prigozhin was charged with calling for an armed rebellion that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin was informed of the situation and "all necessary measures were being taken".
Points to consider
- Insubordinate Wagner leader Prigozhin demands to meet with military chiefs
- The Wagner boss suggests that his mercenaries go to Moscow to take over the army's leadership
- Motorway 400km south of Russian capital shut down due to security concerns
The Kremlin reports that Russian President Putin will deliver a televised address soon
Russian President Putin to deliver televised address soon - TASS KremlinRussian president Vladimir Putin will deliver a televised address soon, the TASS news agency reported on Saturday.
Russian President Putin to deliver televised address soon - TASS KremlinRussian president Vladimir Putin will deliver a televised address soon, the TASS news agency reported on Saturday.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Russian mercenary chief, has said he wants to remove the defense ministry's leadership due to its incompetence and has posted videos of himself in the southern Russian city of Rostov, home to a Russian army headquarters.
The Wagner boss suggests that his mercenaries take on the army's top brass in Moscow
In an unlikely attempt to topple the military leadership, Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin allegedly sent an armed convoy on a 1,200km charge towards Moscow.
Residents in the southern part of Russia, bordering Ukraine, were warned to avoid a military convoy on the main motorway.
Earlier, Russian authorities accused Mr Prigozhin of inciting an armed mutiny, after he voiced allegations - without supporting evidence - that the military leadership had ordered a deadly air strike against his troops. In response, he vowed to exact retribution. The FSB domestic security service has now launched criminal proceedings against him for this offence, which can incur a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment.
Wagner leader Prigozhin demands military chiefs meet with him
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the rebellious Russian mercenary boss, demanded in a video posted on Saturday to meet with the defence minister Sergei Shoigu and the Russian general Valery Gerasimov. In a video posted by his own press service, Mr Prigozhin said he was now in Rostov-on-Don, the headquarters of the Southern Military District.
The "Razgruzka Wagnera" channel posted a video of Mr Prigozhin sitting between two senior generals, one of whom was Army Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseyev. Previousy, the latter had issued a plea for the pro-Wagner leader to reconsider his campaign to depose the top brass. Mr Prigozhin declared that if they did not come to him, he would blockade Rostov and march on Moscow.
Yevgeny Prigozhin of the Wagner group made a call for an armed rebellion, which prompted the White House to state that they were keeping tabs on the developments in Russia. Adam Hodge of the National Security Council said, “We are aware of what is going on and will be liaising with our allies and partners on these events.” Michael Kofman of the CAN research group in Arlington tweeted his opinion: “It appears to me like he's desperate, but whether or not he'll get support from people who make a difference remains to be seen. I highly doubt this will end favorably for Prigozhin or Wagner.”
