In the telegram channel of the press service of the head of the PMC Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, on the evening of June 23, it was reported that a missile attack was carried out on the rear positions of his fighters, many were killed . Responsibility for this in audio calls rests with the Department of Defense. In response, the Department of Defense called the reports “information provocation”.
Video with corpses and statements of Prigozhin
A new stage in the escalation of the protracted conflict between Prigozhin and the Department of Defense began at 9:00 p.m. Moscow time with a video from the Telegram channel “Unloading Wagner”, which was reposted by the Telegram channel ” Prigozhin’s Cap”. The video would show the aftermath of the shelling – burning ground, corpses. In trembling voices, two off-camera discuss whether it could have been a Ukrainian attack.
21.09 Moscow time The Telegram channel of the Prigozhin news service published a recorded call in a voice similar to Yevgeny Prigozhin:
“They died in Bakhmut, defending the honor of Russia and the Russian army. They wickedly deceived us and tried to deprive us of the possibility of defending our homes and dispersing the Wagner PMC. We were ready to to make concessions to the Ministry of Defense, to surrender our weapons and to find a solution on how we will defend our country.
Moreover, it is reported about the missile attack on the rear camps, which was inflicted by “those scum”, that “a large number of our fighters” died. There is also a promise to respond “to this atrocity”.
9:25 p.m. Moscow time The same voice reads the statement of the “Council of Commanders of the PMC Wagner” that “the evil must be stopped”.
“They forgot the word justice, and we will return it. Therefore, those who destroyed our guys today, those who destroyed tens, tens of thousands of lives of Russian soldiers, will be punished.
The person who recorded the message urged not to resist and promised to “immediately destroy the emerging threat”, including roadblocks and aircraft. Auto Records assured that after “the completion of what had been started”, the fighters would return to the front “to defend our homeland”.
9:41 p.m. Moscow time. A new audio message from the Wagner founder’s press service that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu left Rostov in a hurry.
9:49 p.m. Moscow time. Another statement: “We are 25,000, and we will understand why the chaos is happening in the country. 25,000 are expected as a tactical reserve. And the strategic reserve is the whole army and the whole country. Then followed the call to “join in” and “end this disgrace.”
10:15 p.m. Moscow time Audio released with accusations against the Minister of Defense.
10:29 p.m. Moscow time An audio was released stating that what is happening “is not a military coup, it is a march for justice.” “Our actions do not interfere with the troops in any way,” the message read.
10:39 p.m. Moscow time. The last entry from June 23: “Most of the military are very supportive of us. Messages arrive: “Thank you guys! Finally, justice has come to the army. Additionally, the voice on the recording said that 2,000 bodies were allegedly hidden in the Rostov morgue.
The Rybar Telegram channel noted that all messages posted by Prigozhin were recorded at 7:25 p.m. and posted on a delayed basis.
On the afternoon of June 23, the Prigozhin Press Service channel published a half-hour excerpt from a video interview with the founder of Wagner PMC. Among other things, Yevgeny Prigozhin said that Ukraine and NATO were not going to attack Russia, and the special operation began due to the ambitions of the military command. He also accused the Defense Ministry of “incompetent planning” of the special operation and withholding information from the president about the real situation at the front.
The reaction of the Defense Ministry, the Kremlin and the FSB
A message was published on the official telegram channel of the department at 9:48 p.m. Moscow time, in which the messages in the name of Prigogine were described as “provocation”.
“All messages and video images posted on social networks in the name of E. Prigozhin about the alleged “strike of the RF Ministry of Defense on the rear camps of the PMC Wagner” do not correspond to reality and are a informational provocation The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to carry out combat missions on the line of contact with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area of ​​the special military operation.
About an hour later, the Kremlin also reacted. Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin was aware of the situation “around Prigozhin”. Peskov noted that “all necessary measures are being taken”.
At around 12:15 a.m. Moscow time, the FSB issued a message: “Prigozhin’s statements and actions are in fact calls for the outbreak of an armed civil conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation. Also in the message of the FSB DSP it is said that “information in social networks in the name of Prigozhin about the alleged strikes of the Ministry of Defense RF on the PMC” Wagner “does not correspond to reality and constitutes a provocation” .
At 0:18 Moscow time, Telegram channel “Reporter Rudenko V” job a video message from Army General Sergei Surovikin to the leadership of Wagner, who called on the leadership of the PMC to peacefully resolve the conflict and obey the Supreme Commander.
“With you, we have walked a difficult path. We have fought together, taken risks, suffered losses. We have won together. We are of the same blood. We are warriors. I urge you to stop. The The enemy is just waiting for the domestic political situation to worsen in our country.You cannot play into the enemy’s game at this difficult time for the country.
Later, a video message from Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev appeared on Rudenko’s channel, who called what was happening “madness”.
Criminal record
The National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) said the allegations published on the Prigozhin news service channel about the missile strikes are not true. In connection with the incident, the FSB opened a criminal case under the article on conscription for armed rebellion (Article 279 of the Russian Criminal Code, a penalty of up to 20 years in prison).
“We demand an immediate halt to illegal actions,” the CNA said in a statement, quoted by RIA Novosti.
About an hour and a half later, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced the opening of a criminal case against Yevgeny Prigozhin.
“His actions will be subject to proper legal assessment. This crime is punishable by a custodial sentence of 12 to 20 years. said in the message.
A few minutes later, the FSB Public Relations Center announces the same thing:
In connection with the threat of an escalation of confrontation in the Russian Federation, a case was opened on the fact of a call for armed rebellion by Prigozhin
The publication Baza claims that the “Fortress” plan was announced in several police departments of the Rostov region, the police were alerted and streets were blocked in the center of Rostov-on-Don. The “Fortress” plan involves an emergency gathering of personnel and the seizure of particularly important objects from law enforcement agencies, the plan provides for preparation for repelling an external attack.
almost the same writing publication 161.RU, which published photographs of armored vehicles in the center of Rostov-on-Don.
Later, armored personnel carriers also appeared on the streets of Moscow – video of armored personnel carriers publish “Attention, news” channel.
The reaction of military correspondents and patriot bloggers
Former DPR Defense Minister Igor Strelkov
10:36 p.m. Moscow time “In Rostov, all security forces have been put on high alert, but everything is calm so far. Let’s hope that Prigozhin announced a coup, but Wagner himself didn’t does not intend to participate.
11:24 p.m. Moscow time. “After reflection, I completely reject and consider Prigozhin’s statement that the Russian armed forces launched a missile attack on the Wagner site this afternoon, and consider it a complete lie. If there was a blow, then only Wagner himself (or rather a staging) could deliver it (logically). Reason: to eliminate Wagner, it is absolutely not necessary to inflict strikes on certain camps. Enough to “knock” Prigogine himself. Well, maybe someone else from his inner circle with him. And that’s all. And hitting ordinary soldiers and commanders is utter stupidity – even Shoigu and Gerasimov have enough brains to figure this out. Now, if they had covered Prigozhin himself with a rocket with his “Council of Commanders”, I would have believed them. And so it’s a lie. Point”.
Alexander Kots, war correspondent
Don’t fall into the trap of current manipulation, pushing you to take sides. There are only two sides – Russia and the enemy. And at this moment, Russian soldiers in the direction of Orekhovsky are fighting another enemy advance. And they didn’t beat the enemy for Prigozhin, Shoigu or anyone else. And for his house, for his deceased friend Vanka, for Shebekino and for Donetsk. No thanks, but despite. Through bloody skin and tooth crumbs. They may not like some, they may hate others, but now they are there, one-on-one with the enemy. And now only this is important – to defeat the enemy, to burn his tanks, to grind manpower. Like in Mariupol, like in Kremennaya and Svatovo, like in Artemovsk (Bakhmut)…
Mikhail Zvinchuk telegram channel “Rybar”
“The irony of 2023: Prigozhin, who in 2021 took part in the landing of Alexei Navalny – including all kinds of marches – announced his own justice march two years later. According to the head of the Wagner PMC, the majority of the military “ardently supports it”.
Telegram channel “Older than Edda”
“Brothers! Everyone who holds a gun on the line of contact with the Khokhol remembers this. Your enemy is in front, keep him at gunpoint, strike as you strike, Moscow will get away with it without us. There is nothing more important than Russia.”
Telegram channel “Switched on the Z war”
“God Save Russia”
What is most surprising in this situation is the fact that nobody knows anything. The social circle is huge, and everyone has the same answer: “Nothing is clear.” It never happened.
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