Russia: Head of Russian military contractor Wagner Group, Mr. Yevgeny Prigozhin, has ignited a war of words with the country’s military leaders, proclaiming that his forces are willing to die to confront them.

In an audio message shared on Telegram, Mr. Prigozhin asserted that his fighters had crossed into the Russian border city of Rostov-on-Don from Ukraine and would combat anyone who tried to impede them. He further accused the Russian military top brass of launching strikes against his men. Videos and pictures circulating online depicted armed individuals surrounding administrative buildings in Rostov, accompanied by tanks deployed in the city centre. The identity of these armed men remains unclear.

The Federal Security Services denounced Mr. Prigozhin’s actions as a call to initiate an armed civil conflict within Russia and a betrayal of Russian servicemen fighting Ukrainian forces. In response, Russian authorities heightened security in various regions, and the mayor of Moscow announced the implementation of “anti-terrorist” measures in the capital. The national anti-terrorist committee confirmed the introduction of an anti-terror operation regime to prevent potential terrorist acts.

Russia’s Defense Ministry addressed Wagner’s mercenaries, accusing Mr. Prigozhin of deceiving and ensnaring them in a criminal adventure. The ministry urged the fighters to contact its representatives and law enforcement services, assuring their security. President Mr. Vladimir Putin was reported to give a televised address in response to the situation.

This recent provocation follows the announcement by Russian authorities of a criminal case against Mr. Prigozhin over alleged threats to remove Defense Minister Mr. Sergei Shoigu. In previous audio messages, Mr. Prigozhin accused Mr. Shoigu of ordering rocket attacks on Wagner’s field camps in Ukraine, resulting in significant casualties. However, he provided no evidence to support the death toll estimate. Mr. Prigozhin’s words were interpreted as an appeal to mutiny by the Russian government.

The ongoing confrontation between Mr. Prigozhin and the Russian defense ministry has escalated significantly. The ministry declared Prigozhin’s accusations to be false and an act of informational provocation. Mr. Prigozhin described his actions as a “march of justice” rather than a military coup.

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