The Russian Defense Ministry issued a public message to the fighters of the private military company Wagner, asserting that they were drawn into the dangerous venture led by the PMC founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin. The ministry shared the statement through its official Telegram channel.
You were allegedly lured into participating in Prigozhin’s unlawful scheme and an armed insurrection, the Defense Ministry contended. The ministry noted that a number of Wagner troops recognize their mistakes and are seeking guidance to return safely to their permanent deployment locations. It urged the fighters to reach out to representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry, assuring that every individual’s safety would be protected during the process.
In a separate declaration issued on June 23, representatives of the Defense Ministry reiterated that messages and videos circulating on social networks alleging an attack by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Wagner rear camps do not reflect reality and should be viewed as disinformation intended to mislead the public.
Press Secretary to the President, Dmitry Peskov, and the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, were briefed on the latest developments surrounding Prigozhin. The situation has drawn wide attention from national authorities who are monitoring potential security implications for the armed forces involved.
Meanwhile, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee reported that in response to Prigozhin’s remarks, a legal action has been initiated over calls for a military revolt. Authorities emphasized the seriousness of any attempt to destabilize the constitutional order and pledged to pursue appropriate measures under the law.