(Dan Tri) – Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has opened an investigation into suspicions that leader of the private military corporation Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin instigated an armed rebellion against the government.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of private military corporation Wagner (Photo: Twitter).
RT quoted the June 23 announcement of Russia’s Anti-Terrorism Committee as saying that the FSB had `opened a criminal investigation against Wagner tycoon Yevgeny Prigozhin accusing him of inciting armed rebellion.
`The statements that are being spread in the name of Yevgeny Prigozhin are completely baseless. In connection with these accusations, the FSB has started an investigation into calls for an armed rebellion. We demand an immediate stop
The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office emphasized that if convicted, boss Wagner could face 12-20 years in prison.
The above announcement was made after boss Wagner accused the Russian army of attacking the bases of Wagner’s forces.
In a recording that appeared on June 23, Mr. Prigozhin accused Russia of launching a missile attack on Wagner’s base in the Rostov region, killing many of this force’s fighters.
`A large number of our fighters were killed. We will decide how to respond. The next step is ours,` Mr. Prigozhin said.
In addition, Mr. Prigozhin posted a video that appeared to record the aftermath of the above missile attack.
`Anyone who tries to resist, we will consider a danger and destroy immediately, including any checkpoint in our path or any air vehicle in our sight.`
The Russian Ministry of Defense has denied Mr. Wagner’s accusations of spreading false information.
`Accusations and videos circulating on social networks in the name of Mr. Yevgeny Prigozhin about an attack on Wagner’s stronghold in the rear are untrue and are an informational provocation,` the Russian Ministry of Defense said.
The statement further emphasized: `The Russian army continues to carry out combat missions in the area of the special military campaign in Ukraine.`
On the same day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the incident had been reported to President Vladimir Putin and Russia was taking all necessary measures to resolve the issue.
TASS news agency quoted information from local law enforcement agencies saying that Russia has increased security measures in the capital Moscow, strengthening the protection of important facilities in the capital.
General Sergei Surovikin, deputy commander of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, on June 23 called on Wagner to remain loyal.
`I appeal to the warriors and commanders of Wagner. We have walked a difficult path together. We have fought together, taken risks together, suffered losses together and fought together
The latest developments show the broken relationship between the Russian military and the private military group Wagner – a force that once played a key role in Moscow’s offensive campaigns to control the city of Bakhmut in Eastern Ukraine.
Previously, Mr. Prigozhin had many times directly criticized the Russian military leadership, accusing Moscow of not providing enough weapons and ammunition, causing Wagner to suffer huge losses in force in the Bakhmut war.