Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner paramilitary group, accused Russia’s military of launching missile strikes on his training camps and killing “an enormous amount” of troops, and pledged to retaliate, raising the prospect of open conflict within Russia. The ministry of defense in Moscow denied his claim, dismissing it as an “information provocation.” For the past several months, Prigozhin has been making increasingly scathing statements against Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov. Earlier on Friday, he accused Shoigu of leading Russia into war on Ukraine on a false narrative. “The evil that the military leadership of the country brings forward must be stopped. They have forgotten the word justice, and we will return it,” Prigozhin said in an audio recording posted on Wagner’s social media Friday. “Anyone attempting resistance will be considered a threat and immediately destroyed. This includes all the checkpoints on our path and any aircraft above our heads.” Prigozhin’s recordings were posted Friday on numerous social-media outlets associated with Wagner, including his company. “This is not a military coup, this is a march of justice,” he said. “Our actions do not impede the troops.” The Russian Ministry of Defense tried earlier this month to control Wagner, which has tens of thousands of battle-hardened troops and its own tanks, multiple-launch rocket systems and aircraft, by demanding all paramilitary groups and private military companies sign formal contracts to come under the ministry’s control. Prigozhin said that Wagner was ready to find a way to comply with the order. “But seeing that we are unbroken, they launched missile strikes on our rear bases. An enormous amount of our combat comrades have died. We will decide how to respond to this crime. The next step is ours,” he said. He added that the administration of President Vladimir Putin, the government, the police and the Russian National Guard will function as normal “once we finish.” “Justice in the armed forces will be restored, and after that justice in all of Russia,” Prigozhin said. In Friday’s recording, Prigozhin said that he has 25,000 men under arms but also considers the entire army, and the entire Russian society, his strategic reserve. Russian commentators reacted to this turn of events with shock. “God save Russia,” posted Oleg Tsaryov, a former Ukrainian lawmaker who has been a prominent Russian politician since 2014. Putin has been informed about the situation around Prigozhin and all necessary measures are being taken, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to state news media. Russia’s FSB security service has opened a criminal case against Prigozhin on charges of inciting mutiny, according to state media. https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-shoots-down-russian-cruise-missile-barrage-9d9da03a
Wagner boss Prigozhin says Russia's 'evil' defense ministry 'must be stopped' in latest shocking provocation https://www.businessinsider.com/wagner-boss-prigozhin-russia-evil-defense-ministry-must-stop-2023-6
Russia’s security service investigates Wagner chief for ‘armed mutiny’ FSB opens criminal case after Yevgeny Prigozhin accuses Russia’s military of attack and says ‘evil’ leadership must be stopped https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...tack-and-says-evil-leadership-must-be-stopped
Prigozhin Says Putin's Reason for Invading Ukraine Was a Lie Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin on Friday cast doubt on Russian President Vladimir Putin's justifications for launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, saying they were lies fed to him by the Kremlin's top brass. Russia's Defense Ministry has been "deceiving" Russian society and Putin, Prigozhin said in an expletive-ridden 30-minute video posted on his Telegram channel. It has escalated his public feud with Sergei Shoigu, the country's defense minister. The Russian businessman, a longtime ally of Putin, has for months been intensifying his verbal barrage against Shoigu. Prigozhin for the first time on Friday, however, appeared to shift the narrative of the war. https://www.newsweek.com/prigozhin-wagner-group-putin-ukraine-war-shoigu-nato-lie-1808700
It appears to me that Prigozin is basically calling for a revolution against the elite, and whereas I was formerly not hopeful because he was earlier more pro-war than Putin, now he seems to have become anti-war. Seems to be calling for all regular russian military and russian public to join him in "sorting it out." The main road from Ukraine to Moscow has numerous roadblocks and there are now military vehicles posted near some government buildings. I can hardly dare to hope that some russian troops might begin to withdraw from the front and join the Prigozin forces. One problem is that Kadyrov still stands with Putin and his troops my kill any russian troops that try to withdraw. I'll see if I can post some of the recent videos by Prigozin but I am stuck at a job without my mouse!
You know both Saudi Arabia and Iran have offered huge bounties to Wagner for Russian nukes. And if given the chance, Wagner would happily sell to both.
This is great fucking news! Hopefully another dictator bites the dust and no more civilians need to die or lose their livelyhoods for a madman's war.
Feud Between Moscow and Wagner Group Turns to All-Out War https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/feud-between-moscow-wagner-group-214329810.html
Unfortunately Prigozhin has a a history of false and exaggerated claims. Intelligence trying to sort it out.
Moscow accuses Wagner chief of calling for "armed rebellion." Here's the latest on what's happening in Russia From CNN staff Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Russian private military group Wagner, on Friday accused Russia's military leadership of killing a "huge amount" of his mercenary forces in a strike on a camp. And he vowed to retaliate. "Many dozens, tens of thousands of lives, of Russian soldiers will be punished," Prigozhin said. "I ask that nobody put up any resistance." In a later Telegram post, Prigozhin said that his criticism of the military leadership was a “march of justice” and not a coup. His comments prompted Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) to launch a criminal case, accusing the mercenary force's chief of calling for "armed rebellion," the state news agency TASS reported. Here's the latest on the situation unfolding in Russia: Nations monitor the infighting in Russia: President Vladimir Putin is aware “of the situation unfolding around Prigozhin,” Russian state media TASS said Friday, as well as the investigation into his comments. In Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the country's presidential administration, tweeted "tumultuous times are coming," while Ukraine's Ministry of Defense concisely tweeted: "We are watching." In the US, the White House said it was "monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments,” according to Adam Hodge, National Security Council spokesperson. Russian officials urge Wagner fighters to detain their leader: The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) urged Wagner Group fighters not to follow Prigozhin's orders and implored fighters to take measures to detain him. Similarly, Sergey Surovikin, Russia’s top commander in Ukraine, urged the mercenary fighters to "stop" and to "obey the will" of President Putin. "We are of the same blood. We are warriors. I urge you to stop, the enemy is only waiting for the internal political situation to worsen in our country," Surovikin was seen saying in a video posted to Telegram by a Russian state media reporter. Russia takes steps to control the narrative: State news TV channel Russia 24 interrupted the broadcast of a program Friday night to read out a message from the Russian Ministry of Defense, stating the claims made by the Wagner mercenary group leader "do not correspond to reality." This statement has been widespread throughout Russia, even appearing on Telegram in a message from the defense ministry. Russia steps up security: In the Russian city of Rostov near southeast Ukraine, military vehicles could be seen driving the streets. Posts were organized on Saturday in the area of the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov where military personnel and law enforcement officers are keeping order, a TASS correspondent reported. The preparations were taking place as Prigozhin said his fighters were entering the Rostov region. In Moscow, security measures were also visible, according to TASS. 6 min ago Prigozhin claims a helicopter fired at civilians and was downed by his forces From CNN's Mariya Knight Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the private military group Wagner, said a helicopter fired at a civilian column and was downed by his forces. Prigozhin did not give any further details. The claim is one of many accusations made by the Wagner boss. The mercenary group leader, who was accused Friday by Moscow of calling for "armed rebellion," said earlier that his forces were entering the Rostov region, which is close to the Ukraine border. CNN can not verify Prigozhin's claim of an attack on civilians or that his fighters downed a helicopter. https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-23-23/index.html
@RALee85 According to a Russian channel, local media in Rostov are reporting that Wagner fighters have cordoned off the Southern Military District HQ, the police office, FSB office, and city administration building. Also signs of fighting about halfway between Rostov and Moscow.
Prigozhin says Russian military are joining Wagner as they greet their convoy From CNN's Josh Pennington Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has said that Russian Guards and military police are joining the Wagner group. In an audio recording from Prigozhin Saturday and translated by CNN, he claimed that, "Where soldiers meet us, the Russian Guards and military police, they wave their hands cheerfully." The Wagner chief claimed in the recording that between 60 and 70 soldiers from the Russian military have joined Wagner forces. "Many of them are saying: "We want to join you." Already 60 to 70 people have joined us, although we have gone a little way yet. I think half of the army is ready to join us." CNN cannot independently verify the claims. 24 min ago Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin? Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, arrives during a funeral ceremony at the Troyekurovskoye cemetery in Moscow, Russia, on April 8. AP Yevgeny Prigozhin is the chief of Russia’s private mercenary group Wagner, which has been at the forefront of much of the fighting in Russia's war on Ukraine. Prigozhin has known Russian President Vladimir Putin since the 1990s. He became a wealthy oligarch by winning lucrative catering contracts with the Kremlin, earning him the moniker “Putin’s chef.” His transformation into a brutal warlord came in the aftermath of the 2014 Russian-backed separatist movements in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine. Prigozhin founded Wagner to be a shadowy mercenary outfit that fought both in eastern Ukraine and, increasingly, for Russian-backed causes around the world. CNN has tracked Wagner mercenaries in the Central African Republic, Sudan, Libya, Mozambique, Ukraine and Syria. Over the years they have developed a particularly gruesome reputation and have been linked to various human rights abuses. Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Prigozhin’s political star rocketed in Russia after Moscow’s full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While many regular Russian troops saw setbacks on the battlefield, Wagner fighters seemed to be the only ones capable of delivering tangible progress. Known for its disregard for the lives of its own soldiers, the Wagner group’s brutal and often lawless tactics are believed to have resulted in high numbers of casualties, as new recruits are sent into battle with little formal training – a process described by retired United States Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling as “like feeding meat to a meat grinder.” Prigozhin has used social media to lobby for what he wants and often feuded with Russia’s military leadership, casting himself as competent and ruthless in contrast to the military establishment. Disagreements with Russian leadership: His disagreements with Russia’s top brass exploded into the public domain during the grim and relentless battle for Bakhmut during which he repeatedly accused the military leadership of failing to supply his troops with enough ammunition. Putin presides over what is often described as a court system, where infighting and competition among elites is in fact encouraged to produce results, as long as the “vertical of power” remains loyal to and answers to the head of state. But Prigozhin’s increasingly outrageous outbursts have sparked speculation in recent weeks that even he could be going too far. Read more here. 45 min ago Moscow accuses Wagner chief of calling for "armed rebellion." Here's the latest on what's happening in Russia Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Russian private military group Wagner, on Friday accused Russia's military leadership of killing a "huge amount" of his mercenary forces in a strike on a camp. And he vowed to retaliate. "Many dozens, tens of thousands of lives, of Russian soldiers will be punished," Prigozhin said. "I ask that nobody put up any resistance." In a later Telegram post, Prigozhin said that his criticism of the military leadership was a “march of justice” and not a coup. His comments prompted Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) to launch a criminal case, accusing the mercenary force's chief of calling for "armed rebellion," the state news agency TASS reported. Here's the latest on the situation unfolding in Russia: Prigozhin's claims: The Wagner chief on Friday said his fighters were entering the Russian Rostov region, which neighbors Ukraine. Prigozhin warned against anyone obstructing him: "We will destroy everything that gets in our way," he said. Prigozhin also claimed a helicopter fired at a civilian column and was downed by his forces, but did not give any further details. He accused the Russian military's chief of staff of ordering an aerial attack "in the middle of civilian cars." He later said that his units were hit by a helicopter on a highway.CNN cannot independently verify these claims. Nations monitor the infighting in Russia: President Vladimir Putin is aware "of the situation unfolding around Prigozhin," Russian state media TASS said Friday, as well as the investigation into his comments. In Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the country's presidential administration, tweeted "tumultuous times are coming," while Ukraine's Ministry of Defense concisely tweeted: "We are watching." In the US, the White House said it was "monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments,” according to Adam Hodge, National Security Council spokesperson. Russian officials urge Wagner fighters to detain their leader: The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) urged Wagner Group fighters not to follow Prigozhin's orders and implored fighters to take measures to detain him. Similarly, Sergey Surovikin, Russia’s top commander in Ukraine, urged the mercenary fighters to "stop" and to "obey the will" of President Putin. "We are of the same blood. We are warriors. I urge you to stop, the enemy is only waiting for the internal political situation to worsen in our country," Surovikin was seen saying in a video posted to Telegram by a Russian state media reporter. Russia takes steps to control the narrative: State news TV channel Russia 24 interrupted the broadcast of a program Friday night to read out a message from the Russian Ministry of Defense, stating the claims made by the Wagner mercenary group leader "do not correspond to reality." This statement has been widespread throughout Russia, even appearing on Telegram in a message from the defense ministry. Russia steps up security: In the Russian city of Rostov near southeast Ukraine, military vehicles could be seen driving the streets. Posts were organized on Saturday in the area of the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov where military personnel and law enforcement officers are keeping order, a TASS correspondent reported. The preparations were taking place as Prigozhin said his fighters were entering the Rostov region. In Moscow, security measures were also visible, according to TASS. Moscow's mayor said "anti-terrorist measures" are being carried out in the city. A local journalist said the streets appear calm in Moscow, but that there is heightened security at government agencies. https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-24-23/index.html
If i was him I don't think I would admit that only 60-70 have joined him. There is now a video of him talking to two main russian military leaders from the Rostov district. Hard to know if they are collaborating or telling him he needs to surrender.
FSB case against Prigozhin suggests Putin "is right on top of it," analyst says The fact that Russia's domestic intelligence agency the Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case against Yevgeny Prigozhin suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin has turned on the Wagner chief, a former CIA officer said. “In my mind when the FSB says, ‘we see this is a criminal act and we’re investigating it,’ that to me means that Putin is right on top of it,” Steve Hall, a former career CIA officer and now CNN contributor, told CNN. Prigozhin “knows precisely what his risk is... which is kind of interesting when you think about it, because that means he must have calculated that he can pull this off," Hall said. “A guy like Prigozhin knows what the risks are and knows that if it doesn’t go well for him, it’s going to go really badly,” he added. 22 min ago Video purports to show Wagner chief in Rostov-on-Don From CNN's Josh Pennington Video released by the Wagner group on its official Telegram channel reportedly shows its chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. The video was posted on Saturday morning. 25 min ago Former US Ambassador to Ukraine says Putin “should be very nervous" Russian President Vladimir Putin "should be very nervous" after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed his troops were moving against Russia’s military leadership, former US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor said. Russia's FSB security service accused Prigozhin of calling for an "armed rebellion" when he vowed retaliation after claiming Moscow's military killed a "huge amount" of his mercenaries in a strike on a camp. "He's probably watching very carefully. He should be very nervous. He's got big problems here. He's got the military that is now diverting its attention to one of its own, to Prigozhin, to the Wagner group," Taylor told CNN. "Putin's got real problems within the country. This is a series of problems that he's got to deal with right now," Taylor added. Taylor said it was a "very important" moment for Ukraine. "Ukrainians are now wrapping up their counteroffensive. This is the perfect timing for the Ukrainians to really take advantage of this chaos in Moscow, chaos in the Russian military," he said. 33 min ago Voronezh governor says convoy of military equipment is moving along the highway From CNN's Josh Pennington The governor of Voronezh oblast, in southwestern Russia, said that "a convoy of military equipment is moving along the M-4 Don Federal Highway." The M-4 is a highway connecting Voronezh and Rostov-on-Don. Voronezh is directly north of the Rostov region, where Yevgeny Prigozhin said his Wagner fighters were approaching the city of Rostov. "A convoy of military equipment is moving along the M-4 Don Federal Highway. We request all residents of Voronezh Oblast to temporarily refrain from using the M-4 Don Federal Highway and personal vehicles," said Voronezh Governor Alexander Gusev in an update. "The situation is under control. The region's power structures are taking all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of the region's residents." https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-24-23/index.html
