In a recent statement, the Russian Defense Ministry declared that all social media reports disseminated in the name of Yevgeny Prigozhin, stating an alleged strike on the 'Wagner Group private military company camp' by the ministry, are provocative fabrications. The unfolding situation's gravity has prompted the Federal Security Service of Russia to launch a criminal case against Prigozhin for inciting rebellion within the country.
On the 24th of the month, as reported by TASS Agency, Moscow has ramped up its security measures. This includes increased protection for all major facilities, government agencies, and transportation infrastructures. Additionally, according to a report by the Russian News Agency early in the morning, all officers of the Russian National Guard Central Region have reported to their posts, entering a state of emergency.
Furthermore, as of the 24th, it is understood that the headquarters of the Wagner Group in Saint Petersburg is operating normally, with no law enforcement present in the vicinity, and no traffic blockages reported. There is no visible military movement towards the Kremlin.
According to statements by the Russian Defense Ministry on the 23rd, they emphasized that the Russian Federation Armed Forces continue to perform combat tasks on the front lines with Ukrainian armed forces in special military operation areas. The ministry refuted Prigozhin's claims from the same day, stating that the Russian Defense Ministry's troops attacked the Wagner mercenary camp and caused 'great losses' to the Wagner soldiers. Prigozhin pledged to respond to the attack, even though he initially had been prepared to make concessions and sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry.
As reported by RIA Novosti on the night of the 23rd, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that President Putin received reports concerning Prigozhin's situation and was taking all necessary steps.
The National Anti-Terrorism Committee of Russia announced on the 23rd that the Federal Security Service launched a criminal case against the call for armed rebellion. The committee added that all accusations posted in the name of Yevgeny Prigozhin do not correspond to the actual situation.
On the surface, the Wagner Group does not have any direct connection with the Russian regular army and is not officially registered, but it has participated in Russian military operations in Syria and Ukraine. It also has been involved in protecting important facilities such as oil fields and pipelines in the Central African Republic, Libya, Sudan, and other places. Today, according to the British intelligence department, Wagner is the backbone of the fighting in Soledar and Bahmut.
As of the spring of 2022, the Wagner Group reported having 8,000 people, but the U.S. estimates that it has organized about 50,000 people to fight in Ukraine.
The Wagner Group is equipped with the most advanced weapons and has its own artillery, but because it always acts as an assault team leading the charge, there is no need for heavy weapons. The original members were mostly veterans, some of whom even participated in the Afghanistan war. They are well-trained, capable of executing the most complex tasks, and are known for their efficient and fast action. However, in Bahmut's frontline, known as the "meat grinder," Prigozhin, who has been to the front lines multiple times, said the war is advancing "meter by meter," so the losses of Wagner are not small.
In July 2022, a video of Prigozhin personally going to prisons to recruit prisoners for his armed forces appeared online. Half a year on the front lines could absolve a convict of their crimes and earn them a monthly income of 100,000 rubles (about 1.31 USD per 100 rubles), plus a high bounty, and a 5 million ruble compensation if killed in action. In January 2023, RIA Novosti released a video of Prigozhin saying that the first batch of convicts to go to the front lines had completed their six-month contracts and become free. However, as of February 9, 2023, Wagner's action to recruit convicts was officially stopped.
This May, according to a report by The Washington Post, based on previously leaked U.S. intelligence documents on the chat platform Discord, the Wagner Group, led by Prigozhin, lost thousands of people in the battle for Bahmut city in late January. In response, Prigozhin made an unusual proposition to Ukraine.
The report stated that Prigozhin proposed that if Ukrainian troops withdrew from the areas near Bahmut, he would provide information on the locations of Russian troops to Kyiv, which could be used to attack the Russian army. Two Ukrainian officials reportedly "confirmed" this news. An American official also expressed similar suspicions about Prigozhin's intentions.
The report mentioned that Prigozhin has had public disputes with the Russian military, angrily claiming that the Russian military did not provide equipment and supplies for his troops, even though his troops have provided crucial support to the Russian military in the war.
