Staff Reports
The Russian military is in a lot of trouble because the leader of Wagner Group PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has said that the defense minister and head of the general staff are trying to kill all Russians. Prigozhin filed a criminal complaint with Russia's Investigative Committee and said that the two military chiefs "must be held responsible." He even put out an audio recording in which he asked the military leaders to stop doing bad things and said that they had "forgotten the word "justice." Prigozhin went on to say that when they were done bringing justice, they would go back to the frontline to protect the country.
Russia Faces Either a Military Mutiny or Coup D'Etat From Wagner PMC Boss Prigozhin https://t.co/93t4dkhJwr
— RedState (@RedState) June 23, 2023
Reports say that the SSO, Russia's strategic special operations force team, has taken over the Russian Defense Ministry, but no one knows what they are doing there. Several roads have also been blocked off, but it is still not clear what their goal is. While this was going on, Russian TV stations were hacked and played Prigozhin's call to arms.
Audio. pic.twitter.com/hnuu42JhmY
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) June 23, 2023
Military equipment near the building of the State Duma and the Ministry of Defense in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/craWu7zMJt
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 23, 2023
The "road" in question. pic.twitter.com/UO9563P92g
— Forged News (@forged_news) June 23, 2023
Prigozhin, via AP Wagner channel, calls for Rosgvardia to join him, or "things will go badly":
"The most promising politician appeals to the National Guard (Rosgvardia) with an offer that is better not refused. Obeying criminal orders and attempting to interfere with the planned… pic.twitter.com/KoQkpilLJC
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) June 23, 2023
CENTER OF MOSCOW NOW
Prigozhin has called on the Russian National Guard to join his side to fight against the Russian Army. pic.twitter.com/lljOXj3NvH
— Jason Jay Smart (@officejjsmart) June 23, 2023
TV channels were hacked in Russia and Prigozhin's audio recordings were played. pic.twitter.com/S8PtUfYlRo
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 23, 2023
General "Armageddon" Surovikin published a video calling Wagner to "obey the Supreme Commander".
"I have just returned by the order of the Ministry of Defence from the zero line, where our forces, our commanders, our soldiers, volunteers carry out the objective, fighting the… pic.twitter.com/oUgGWmlHsI
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) June 23, 2023
❗️New audio statement by Prigozhin (00:03 BST), stating Wagner "crossed state borders in all areas" and is now entering Rostov, promising to "destroy anything standing in their way":
"The current situation: today, we were dealt a missile strike. After this strike, helicopters…
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) June 23, 2023
There are reports on Telegram channels about searches taking place at the "Wagner Center" in St. Petersburg. However, videos published by "Fontanka" and Sota suggest that there is no one present near the building.
Anna Zamaraeva, a spokeswoman for the Wagner Center, also denied… pic.twitter.com/YVt8jOALDv
— 301 Military (@301military) June 23, 2023
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Putin is aware of Wagner's Yevgeny Prigozhin basically declaring a coup against the army and claims "all the necessary measures are being taken." Whatever those are.https://t.co/YvlB61tBGp
— max seddon (@maxseddon) June 23, 2023
Russian security service starts mutiny probe after statements by Prigozhin — committeehttps://t.co/vBbAIr2p8j pic.twitter.com/9kNjOpUfhx
— TASS (@tassagency_en) June 23, 2023
The Rubicon has been crossed.
According Russian regime media “RIA” the FSB has opened a “criminal case against Prigozhin for calling an armed rebellion”.
Peskov also announces that Putin “has been informed”.
There is no coming back from this. Somebody is going to lose his… pic.twitter.com/njn27R58zp
— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) June 23, 2023
#Prigozhin #WagnerGroup #WagnerPMC #Ukraine #UkraineWar #UkraineRussiaWar
Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin says Moscow's war in Ukraine is based on lieshttps://t.co/ZqfX2w9f6q— Daniel Brobecker (@DanielBrobecker) June 23, 2023
There are now firefights between Russian Army units and Wagner fighters, and some Russian Army units are supporting Wagner's side. In a video, a former leader of Russian troops in Ukraine asked soldiers to go back to their barracks.
Even though there has been trouble, some Russian leaders haven't seemed to care or have chosen not to say anything. Security services are looking into what Prigozhin did, but Vladimir Putin's spokeswoman, Dmitry "Porn 'Stache" Peskov, has said that the situation is true.
No matter what is going on, it is real and not a joke. This is made clear by the fact that major power players are involved and that the drama is being shown on Russian Telegram channels and in state-run Russian media. Prigozhin has said that the "special military operation" in Ukraine is unjustified and built on lies.
We don't know how things will turn out yet, but it's clear that a coup could be in the works in Russia.
