Given the gravity of the situation and the potential for growing conflict in Russia, a criminal investigation has been launched against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner PMC, according to the Federal Security Service’s Public Relations Centre, which was quoted by the TASS News agency.
“Amid the seriousness of the situation and the threat of escalation of confrontation in the Russian Federation, the FSB has opened a criminal case into the fact of a call for an armed rebellion on the part of Yevgeny Prigozhin,” in a statement.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, declared in a Telegram post on Saturday morning that his forces had crossed the Ukrainian border into southern Russia and were prepared to fight “all the way” against the Russian military.
He had said that his men would destroy anyone who stood in their way. “But we will destroy anyone who stands in our way,” he said, adding, “We are moving forward and will go until the end.”
Kremlin had said charges against Wagner chief would be dropped
A Kremlin spokesperson on Saturday said the charges against the Wagner leader who led an armed mutiny against the nation’s military leadership would be dropped after the head of the Wagner mercenary force decided to halt his forces’ march to Moscow as part of a deal mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
In the words of Dmitri S. Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, Prigozhin will travel to Belarus, and the rebellious fighters who joined him won’t face legal action because of their affiliation, “service at the front.”
“Wagner fighters who did not participate in the mutiny can sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense,” Peskov was mentioned by the New York Times.
This occurs shortly after the president of Belarus said he was in discussions with Prigozhin about a deal to “de-escalate tensions.” The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on Twitter, “At 9 p.m. tonight, the Presidents spoke again by phone. The President of Belarus Lukashenko informed the President of Russia about the results of negotiations w/ the leader of the Wagner Group. President Putin thanked his counterpart for the work done.”
