Russia prosecutes Wagner boss on charges of inciting rebellion

Russia's security service announced it had opened an investigation into Prigozhin for "inciting rebellion" by calling on Wagner forces to fight against the Defense Ministry.

"In connection with the unfounded statements being spread by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) has opened an investigation into inciting armed rebellion. We demand an immediate halt to illegal actions," Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said on June 23, referring to the head of the Wagner private military corporation.

The decision to initiate criminal proceedings was announced by the FSB after Prigozhin published a series of audio messages on social media, accusing Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu of flying to the Rostov-on-Don region to direct the missile attack targeting Wagner's rear training camp that caused heavy casualties on June 23.

Head of the private military corporation Yevgeny Prigozhin in an interview published on June 7. Photo: Concord — Head of the private military corporation Yevgeny Prigozhin in an interview published on June 7. Photo: *Concord*

Mr Prigozhin accused the Russian military of being behind the attack and that the head of the Russian Defense Ministry had ordered the removal of more than 2,000 bodies to cover up the news. Mr Wagner released a video showing smoke rising from the barracks and signs of an attack, but there was no evidence of major casualties.

"Those who took the lives of our comrades and ruined the lives of tens of thousands of Russian servicemen will be punished. We are 25,000 people and will clarify why the country is in chaos," Mr. Prighozin declared after a meeting of the "Wagner combat command council".

Boss Wagner said he and his gunmen would meet with Defense Minister Shoigu, calling it a "march of justice, not a coup" and that their actions "would not hinder the Russian military."

Minutes later, Prighozin posted a message saying that Mr Shoigu had left Rostov-on-Don without “answering the question of why he ordered helicopters to attack us”.

Russian military vehicles in Rostov-on-Don — Military vehicles outside the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don on June 23. Video: *RBC*

The FSB said Mr Prigozhin's statements and actions "constitute incitement to armed conflict on Russian territory, stabbing in the back those fighting with pro-fascist Ukrainian forces".

"We call on Wagner members to avoid making an irreparable mistake, immediately stop all acts of violence against the Russian people, disobey the orders of the criminal and traitor Prigozhin, and arrest him," the FSB statement said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had been informed about the events involving Prigozhin and "necessary measures are being taken".

The Russian Defense Ministry said on June 23 that all messages and videos circulating on social media about the attack on the Wagner Group's rear base "are untrue and provocative." The agency also said that the Ukrainian military "took advantage of Prigozhin's provocation" to attack the Bakhmut direction.

Russian Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev posted a video the same day urging Mr Prigozhin to reconsider his actions. "Only the president has the right to appoint the top military leadership and you are encroaching on the president's authority," Alekseyev warned.

Meanwhile, General Sergei Surovikin, deputy commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, who has been repeatedly praised by Prigozhin for his leadership abilities, also called on Wagner to "sit still", emphasizing that any political turmoil in Russia only benefits the enemy.

"Wagner soldiers must obey the will and orders of the Russian President. Disband the marching formation immediately and return to base before it is too late," General Surovikin said.

Russian armored vehicles and military vehicles on a street in Moscow on June 23. Photo: Msk1 — Russian armored vehicles and military vehicles on a street in Moscow on June 23. Photo: *Msk1*

Security measures in Moscow have been tightened, TASS news agency reported. All important facilities, government offices and transport infrastructure have been strengthened, and armored vehicles have been deployed throughout Moscow, including around the Russian Defense Ministry headquarters.

Hours before announcing the attack on the Wagner training camp, Prigozhin posted a video accusing the Russian military of withdrawing from several bases in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, and claiming that the Russian Defense Ministry had passed on dishonest reports on the war situation to President Putin.

Over the past year, Wagner has repeatedly criticized Russian military commanders for being "incompetent" and causing the private military group's forces to suffer heavy casualties in Bakhmut because they were not provided with enough ammunition or regular units abandoned their defensive positions.

Prigozhin also clashed with the Russian Defense Ministry after it asked all volunteer units like Wagner to sign service contracts by July. The move would more closely integrate Wagner units into the Russian Defense Ministry’s command structure. Prigozhin initially refused to sign any contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry, then announced that he was proposing an alternative.