Russian Wagner Group leader says Ministry of Defense attacked his forces

Wagner Private Military Company leader Yevgeny Prigozhin made a sensational statement. He said that the forces of the Russian Ministry of Defense had attacked his troops from the rear.

“They meanly tricked us and tried to deprive us of the opportunity to protect our homes. We were ready to make concessions to the Ministry of Defense, lay down our arms and find solutions as to how we would continue to defend our country. They mounted attacks on our rear camps. We have suffered major losses. We will decide how to respond to these acts of atrocity. The ball is in our court,” Prigozhin said in his Telegram post.

Russian state agencies give conflicting information. 

The Ministry of Defense issued a denial with regard to Prigozhin’s statement. “The news traveling on social media about the alleged attack by the Russian Armed Forces on Wagner rear camps is fake,” the statement reads.

The Russian FSB has brought a criminal case for armed mutiny. “The accusations made by Yevgeny Prigozhin are utterly groundless. In connection with these statements, the FSB of Russia has brought a criminal case for armed mutiny. We demand that illegal activities be immediately stopped,” the statement of the agency reads.