Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, responded to the evolving events surrounding Wagner’s founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, noting that Prigozhin has often spoken bluntly about the state of the Russian Army during a telethon broadcast. He emphasized that the moment is not a game for bystanders but a serious, real conflict with potential regional implications.
Budanov acknowledged that Prigozhin, regardless of public acceptance, is in many respects exposing troubling truths while the Russian Ministry of Defense is seen by some observers as downplaying or misrepresenting the facts. The statement reflected a broader debate about information from the Russian military leadership during a period of heightened tensions.
Separately, Sergei Menyailo, a former president of North Ossetia, urged loyalty from people who served with the Wagner Group. He warned that disobedience to the group’s commander, Prigozhin, would carry consequences for those who followed orders from the curator of the force.
On June 23, a Russian Defense Ministry briefing addressed ongoing chatter about Prigozhin and Wagner. The spokesperson for Wagner denied sensational reports describing alleged attacks on Wagner rear camps as false and labeled them informational provocations circulated on social networks.
Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, provided a formal update on the situation surrounding Prigozhin and the related developments, signaling that the Kremlin was closely monitoring the sequence of events and its potential impact on national security and stability.
Following Prigozhin’s remarks, the National Counter-Terrorism Committee announced it had filed a lawsuit over alleged calls to incite military rebellion, signaling a heightened legal response to the unfolding crisis and the possible threats it could pose to internal security.