| It’s hard to be sure, but to me, this indeed is a step up from what happened before. The BBC also is fairly clear, saying (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66005256): “Wagner mercenary boss says Russia bombed his troops” “In a statement, the Russian defence ministry said that "all reports by Prigozhin spread on social media" of Russian strikes on Wagner camps were "not true and are an information provocation". Russian state media also reports that the FSB, Russia's security services, have opened a criminal case against Prigozhin, accusing him of "calling for an armed rebellion". The Wagner Group is a paramilitary organisation that has been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. In recent months, Prigozhin has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of Russia's military leadership. In an audio message posted to the social media platform Telegram, he said "the evil which the Russian military leadership carries must be stopped".
"Those who killed our lads, and tens of thousands of lives of Russian soldiers [in the war in Ukraine] will be punished," he said. "I ask you not to resist. Anyone who does will be considered a threat and destroyed. That goes for any checkpoints and aviation on our way.
"Presidential power, the government, the police and Russian guard will work as usual. "This is not a military coup, but a march of justice, our actions do not interfere with the troops in any way."” |