Russia and Wagner Feud Explained 

By Jakob Venegas

(23 June 2023)

Note: This article is outdated, some information may be incorrect. We are currently working on an updated version.

The Wagner Group, a private Russian military company, has long been involved in Ukraine since it participated in the annexation of Crimea in 2014. It continued to play a significant role in Putin's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, recent events have revealed a tumultuous situation within the group.

In a video released on 23 June 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner Group, openly criticized the Russian Defense Ministry, accusing it of deceiving the public and the president. He claimed that the Defense Ministry fabricated stories about Ukraine's aggression and plans to attack Russia with NATO's support.

Prigozhin further alleged that Russian armed forces had launched missile strikes against Wagner forces, resulting in the deaths of numerous soldiers. Urging for action, he stated, "The council of commanders of PMC Wagner has made a decision – the evil that the military leadership of the country brings must be stopped."

Following these developments, Wagner forces successfully captured the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and the Headquarters of the Southern Military District. Prigozhin asserted that his units are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, stating they are "ready to die... because we are dying for the Russian people, that must be liberated from those people who are striking at the civilian population, which they just hit in Rostov from helicopters." In response to these actions, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) filed criminal charges against Prigozhin for inciting an armed rebellion.

This recent series of events marks a significant escalation within the Wagner Group, with their leader openly challenging the Russian Defense Ministry and carrying out military actions within Russian territory. The implications of these actions are yet to be fully understood, as the situation continues to unfold.