Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, has publicly challenged Russia’s military leadership, accusing them of launching attacks on his men. This audacious challenge comes as the most significant to President Vladimir Putin since the start of the offensive in Ukraine last year. In response to Prigozhin’s threat, Russian authorities have escalated security measures across several regions, with Rostov governor Vasily Golubev assuring citizens of their safety.
Wagner is private army in Russia
The Wagner Group, also known as PMC Wagner, is a paramilitary organization operating in Russia outside of the country’s legal framework. Initially identified in 2014 while supporting pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, the group has since grown to a reported 50,000 fighters, including many from Russia’s elite regiments and special forces. Today, the Wagner Group is heavily involved in the conflict in Ukraine, reportedly playing a significant role in the capture of Bakhmut city.
The group’s leader, Prigozhin, has a reputation for ruthlessness. The Wagner Group has come under fire from Western countries and the UN for alleged human rights abuses across Africa, including in the Central African Republic, Libya, and Mali. The company was named Wagner after its first commander, Dmitry Utkin, a retired lieutenant colonel of the Russian military’s special forces.
BREAKING: Russian Air Force An-26 was shot down allegedly by Wagner Special Forces during #RussianCoup near Voronezh. Developing story.. pic.twitter.com/jsvTMu02si
— JACDEC (@JacdecNew) June 24, 2023
The reason of Wagner war over russia
Prigozhin’s animosity towards the Russian military appears to stem from disputes over credit for military victories and allegations of insufficient supply provision. In January, he claimed full responsibility for the capture of the salt-mining town of Soledar in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, accusing the Russian Defense Ministry of attempting to take credit for Wagner’s victory. Furthermore, he has criticized the Russian military for failing to provide enough ammunition for his forces, even threatening to withdraw his troops.
