The Russian Ministry of Defense distributed messages and videos circulating on social networks that claim Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner private military company, issued a statement about the Russian armed forces striking the rear camps of Wagner. The ministry states that these claims do not reflect reality for audiences in the United States or Canada and should be treated as a provocation aimed at distorting truth and spreading misinformation. The ministry’s telegraph channel published the description to counter the unauthorized narrative. Attribution: Ministry of Defense
The department clarified that Russian armed forces are carrying out combat missions within the framework of a special military operation. These actions are conducted along the line of contact with Ukrainian forces and are part of ongoing efforts to secure strategic objectives in the current operational context. Attribution: Ministry of Defense
Earlier, the Ministry of Defense reported strikes on storage facilities housing missiles used by the Ukrainian armed forces, including some of foreign manufacture. The reports emphasize the destruction or neutralization of ammunition stockpiles as part of operational aims in the region. Attribution: Ministry of Defense
Additionally, the ministry noted that Russian artillery targeted an ammunition depot belonging to the Ukrainian armed forces at Avdiivka, located in the Donetsk People’s Republic, contributing to the broader objective of disrupting weapon and fuel supplies along the front lines. Attribution: Ministry of Defense
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the decision to undertake a special military operation in Ukraine, following an appeal for assistance from the heads of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. The announcement marked a formal shift in strategy and set the stage for subsequent military actions and international responses. Attribution: Presidency of Russia
The initiation of the operation prompted the United States and its allies to implement new sanctions against Russia, reflecting the geopolitical and economic consequences tied to the intervention. The sanctions framework highlighted by Western partners sought to address perceived violations of international norms and to respond to evolving security dynamics in the region. Attribution: Western governments