Russia accuses Wagner chief of urging 'armed rebellion'

June 24, 2023

Moscow, Russia

The Russian government accused the Wagner Group's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, of urging "armed rebellion" after he vowed retaliation for the deaths of his mercenaries in a recent strike.

The FSB security service said that Prigozhin had called for his fighters to "take up arms" and "avenge the deaths of their comrades." The agency said that Prigozhin's comments were made in a private Telegram channel, but that they had been intercepted by Russian intelligence.

Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been accused of using the Wagner Group to carry out covert operations on behalf of the Kremlin. The group has been involved in conflicts in Syria, Libya, and the Central African Republic, and has been accused of war crimes and human rights abuses.

In a statement, the FSB said that Prigozhin's comments were "a serious threat to public order and security." The agency said that it was investigating the matter and that "appropriate measures" would be taken.

The allegations against Prigozhin come at a time when the Wagner Group is under increasing scrutiny. In recent months, the group has been accused of being involved in the killing of civilians in Ukraine. The United States has also imposed sanctions on the group, and the European Union is considering doing the same.

It is unclear what impact the FSB's allegations will have on Prigozhin or the Wagner Group. However, the accusations are a further sign of the growing tensions between Russia and the West.

June 25, 2023

London, England

The British government condemned the Wagner Group's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, for urging "armed rebellion" in Russia.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said that Prigozhin's comments were "deeply concerning" and that they "threaten the stability of Russia." The statement said that the British government would continue to work with its allies to "hold those responsible for human rights abuses accountable."

The statement was echoed by the United States government, which said that Prigozhin's comments were "a clear threat to Russian democracy." The US State Department said that it was "deeply concerned" about the Wagner Group's activities in Russia and around the world.

The Wagner Group is a private military contractor that has been accused of carrying out covert operations on behalf of the Kremlin. The group has been involved in conflicts in Syria, Libya, and the Central African Republic, and has been accused of war crimes and human rights abuses.

Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been accused of using the Wagner Group to consolidate his own power and influence. The allegations against Prigozhin come at a time when the Wagner Group is under increasing scrutiny. In recent months, the group has been accused of being involved in the killing of civilians in Ukraine. The United States has also imposed sanctions on the group, and the European Union is considering doing the same.

The British and US governments' condemnation of Prigozhin is a sign of the growing international pressure on the Wagner Group. The group's activities are a threat to stability in Russia and around the world, and the international community is increasingly united in its efforts to hold those responsible accountable.

June 26, 2023

Moscow, Russia

The Wagner Group's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has denied urging "armed rebellion" in Russia.

In a statement, Prigozhin said that his comments were taken out of context and that he was simply expressing his anger at the deaths of his mercenaries in a recent strike. Prigozhin said that he had never called for his fighters to take up arms against the Russian government.

The FSB security service has not released any evidence to support its allegations against Prigozhin. However, the agency has a history of targeting Putin's critics, and some observers believe that the allegations against Prigozhin are politically motivated.

The allegations against Prigozhin have further polarized Russian society. Some Russians believe that Prigozhin is a dangerous threat to the country, while others believe that he is being unfairly targeted by the government.

The Wagner Group is a private military contractor that has been accused of carrying out covert operations on behalf of the Kremlin. The group has been involved in conflicts in Syria, Libya, and the Central African Republic, and has been accused of war crimes and human rights abuses.

The allegations against Prigozhin come at a time when the Wagner Group is under increasing scrutiny. In recent months, the group has been accused of being involved in the killing of civilians in Ukraine. The United States has also imposed sanctions June 27, 2023

Moscow, Russia

The Wagner Group's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been arrested by the FSB security service.

Prigozhin was arrested on charges of inciting "armed rebellion" and "threats to public order." The FSB said that Prigozhin's comments in a private Telegram channel had been intercepted by Russian intelligence.

Prigozhin has denied the charges, saying that his comments were taken out of context. He is being held in a Moscow prison and is scheduled to appear in court on July 15.

The arrest of Prigozhin is a significant development in the case against the Wagner Group. The group has been accused of carrying out covert operations on behalf of the Kremlin, and Prigozhin is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The arrest is also a sign of the growing tensions between Russia and the West. The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on the Wagner Group, and the group has been accused of war crimes and human rights abuses.

The arrest of Prigozhin is a further blow to the Wagner Group. The group is already under pressure from the international community, and the arrest of its chief is a sign that the Russian government is taking the allegations against the group seriously.

July 15, 2023

Moscow, Russia

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner Group, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for inciting "armed rebellion" and "threats to public order."

Prigozhin was found guilty of making comments in a private Telegram channel that the FSB security service said were a call to arms for his fighters. Prigozhin has denied the charges, saying that his comments were taken out of context.

The sentence is a significant victory for the Russian government, which has been under pressure from the international community to crack down on the Wagner Group. The group has been accused of carrying out covert operations on behalf of the Kremlin, and it has been linked to war crimes and human rights abuses.

The sentence is also a sign of the growing tensions between Russia and the West. The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on the Wagner Group, and the group has been accused of being a threat to stability in Russia and around the world.

The sentencing of Prigozhin is a further blow to the Wagner Group. The group is already under pressure from the international community, and the arrest of its chief is a sign that the Russian government is taking the allegations against the group seriously.

The Aftermath

The sentencing of Yevgeny Prigozhin was a significant victory for the Russian government, but it did not end the controversy surrounding the Wagner Group. The group continued to be accused of carrying out covert operations on behalf of the Kremlin, and it was linked to further war crimes and human rights abuses.

In 2024, the United States imposed additional sanctions on the Wagner Group, and the European Union followed suit in 2025. The group was also designated as a terrorist organization by the United States in 2026.

Despite the sanctions and the designation as a terrorist organization, the Wagner Group continued to operate. The group was involved in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and Libya, and it was accused of committing atrocities in all three countries.

In 2027, the Wagner Group was involved in a massacre in the Central African Republic. The group is believed to have killed hundreds of civilians, including women and children. The massacre sparked international outrage, and the Wagner Group was expelled from the Central African Republic.

The Wagner Group continues to operate today, and it is still a threat to stability in Russia and around the world. The group is a mercenary force that is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve its goals, and it is a major obstacle to peace and security in many countries.