Putin Moves to Crush Armed Rebellion Call by Wagner PMC Chief, Prigozhin

Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to reporters that President Vladimir Putin is being informed around the clock from Russian departments regarding measures being taken on his behalf in connection with an attempted armed rebellion.

According to a Kremlin spokesman, special services and law enforcement agencies report information to Putin.

“The Ministry of Defense, the FSB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard ... report to the President on the measures taken in the context of the fulfillment of instructions previously given to them,” RIA Novosti quoted Peskov as saying.

The head of Prosecutor General's Office, Igor Krasnov, reported to Putin that a criminal case had been initiated against Wagner PMC chief Yevgeny Prigozhin for committing an armed rebellion. This is Article 279 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 12 to 20 years.

The FSB Public Relations Center stated that the statements and actions of the head of the Wagner PMC are calls for the start of a civil armed conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation. The department called it a “stab in the back” to the servicemen of the RF Armed Forces who are fighting Ukrainian nationalists. A criminal case on the fact of a call for an armed rebellion by Prigozhin was initiated due to the seriousness of the situation and the threat of an escalation of confrontation in the country, the FSB stressed.

Ukraine taking advantage of the situation: Russia

Russia’s defense ministry has claimed that Ukraine is taking advantage of Prigozhin’s provocation and is concentrating forces for an offensive on the Bakhmut tactical direction.

"Taking advantage of Prigozhin’s provocation on disorganization of the situation, the Kiev regime is concentrating forces of 35th and 36th Marine Brigades on the Bakhmut tactical direction for offensive action," the Ministry said.

According to the Ministry, battlegroup South servicemen target the enemy with artillery and aviation strikes.

Prigozhin claimed in several audio messages on Telegram that his units were hit with airstrikes, accusing Russia’s military leadership. In this regard, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) initiated a criminal case over charges of call for an armed rebellion. The Russian Defense Ministry called the reports on strikes at Wagner PMC units false. The FSB press office called on the PMC fighters not to comply with Prigozhin’s orders and to detain him.