The United States has urged Ukraine not to exploit the Wagner private military company crisis to carry out sabotage or provocations on Russian soil, according to remarks broadcast on Channel One by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Lavrov suggested that, once the State Department began its actions, and perhaps even the day before, it directed foreign missions to avoid comment on the situation so that opponents could accuse the United States of orchestrating events. He claimed there was a push from Moscow’s perspective to ensure Kyiv did not use the moment to initiate sabotage or provocations inside Russia in the near term.
The diplomat described the information as credible, stating that the materials appeared authentic and trustworthy.
On the evening of June 23, Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin announced that Russian Defense Ministry forces had allegedly struck rear camps of the private army and that his fighters were moving toward Moscow in what he called a “march for justice.” The Defense Ministry rejected the accusations, while prosecutors filed a lawsuit against Prigozhin for organizing an armed riot.
The morning of June 24 saw Wagner forces sealing administrative buildings in Rostov-on-Don and advancing toward the capital. President Vladimir Putin responded by accusing Prigozhin of treachery and warning him and his followers about the consequences of their actions.
That evening, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko’s press service announced negotiations between Lukashenko and Prigozhin, resulting in a negotiated resolution described as an “acceptable solution” with assurances of security for Wagner fighters. Prigozhin reportedly decided to halt the march and order a withdrawal of columns back to field camps, according to the statement from Minsk. (Citation: Reuters)
Earlier, U.S. officials had commented on the Wagner rebellion, outlining potential implications for regional stability. (Citation: Reuters)
Observers note the evolving dynamics among the involved parties, highlighting how public statements, military movements, and diplomatic channels interact as the crisis unfolds across Russia, Belarus, and the wider region. (Citation: Associated Press)
Analysts emphasize the importance of monitoring how messaging from Washington and Moscow shapes perceptions of the conflict, the role of private military entities in modern warfare, and the broader implications for international security and alliance commitments in North America and Europe. (Citation: BBC Monitoring)