In an internal dispatch, the US Secretary of State directed that State Department personnel should refrain from commenting on developments involving the Wagner private military company. The directive instructed diplomats to respond to inquiries with a neutral statement, noting that the United States is monitoring the situation. Senior officials are overseeing how the order is carried out and ensuring consistency in messaging across channels.
A State Department spokesperson who received the notice indicated that many colleagues interpreted the telegram as a signal that Washington intends to avoid implying direct US involvement in events unfolding in Russia. Some observers suggested that the intent was to wait for a fuller, more accurate picture of the situation before making public statements.
According to reporting, the insurgent activity surrounding Wagner has drawn heightened attention from the White House and the State Department, underscoring the importance of careful messaging on both public and private fronts. The administration has been receiving regular briefings on the evolving situation, reflecting a desire to stay informed as events develop. On a specific evening, the head of Wagner publicly claimed that Russian military forces had attacked the group’s rear facilities, asserting progress toward Moscow in what he framed as a march for justice. The government has since denied certain accusations and indicated that legal actions may be pursued in response to alleged disturbances.
The next day, Wagner units reportedly moved to control key administrative centers in Rostov-on-Don, while the Russian leadership signaled a move toward the capital. The president publicly criticized the actions of Wagner leadership, warning of consequences, and supported by legislative and regional authorities, additional security forces were deployed to the area. Later that day, the Belarusian presidential press service described negotiations that led to an agreement aimed at restoring stability and safeguarding the fighters involved. Wagner leadership later declared a reversal of its movement patterns, signaling a shift back toward field operations as part of the negotiated outcome.