"This is real": US highly attuned to situation in Russia
Officials in the United States are closely following the events in Russia after the latest statements by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Private Military Group (PMC).
Source: CNN citing an American official
Details: As the source of the publication notes, unlike Prigozhin's previous statements about the ineptitude of the Russian Ministry of Defence, these comments do not appear to have followed a Ukrainian military breakthrough or tactical success.
The source of the publication reports that in the United States, they consider Prigozhin's latest statements to be"something more than his usual rhetoric."
"This is real," said a source of the outlet.
CNN emphasises it is unclear whether the United States has any expectations about how or what Prigozhin intends to do after his calls for Russian citizens to stay at home.
Background:
- Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that the regular Russian army had launched a missile strike on the Wagnerites’ rear camps. Prigozhin claimed that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Rostov, where he personally conducted an operation to wipe out the mercenaries. As he said, 25,000 Wagnerites are allegedly going to "restore justice". At the same time, he asked not to call it a "military coup". Prigozhin added that Shoigu had fled Rostov like a coward and "this creature will be stopped". The Russian Defence Ministry called the information a provocation.
- Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has been informed of the conflict between Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, and Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defence Minister. A criminal case is being initiated against Prigozhin for incitement to armed rebellion.
- Prigozhin has criticised Shoigu and the General Staff for the failed military campaign, stating that Ukraine did not plan to attack Donbas in 2022, saying that the Russian officials wanted the war, and the oligarchs wanted to make money.
- Photos of armoured vehicles on the streets of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don are being posted on Russian social media following the statement made by Prigozhin about a de facto declaration of war against the Russian army. Checkpoints are set up at entrances to Moscow.
Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
