FSB and Russian General Surovikin address Wagnerites, asks to stop their "march"
The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation called on the Wagner Private Military Group (PMC) militants not to obey the orders of Yevgeny Prigozhin and detain him, while General Sergei Surovikin recorded a video message, calling on the mercenaries to "stop."
Source: Interfax news agency; Medusa outlet; Russian Telegram channels
Quote: "We urge the PMC fighters not to make an irreparable mistake, to stop any force actions against the Russian people, not to comply with Prigozhin's criminal and treacherous orders, and to take measures to detain him."
Details: General Surovikin also addressed the Wagner militants: "I urge you to stop." Surovikin was previously appointed mediator between the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation and the Wagnerites. This happened after Prigozhin began to complain about the lack of ammunition and criticise Minister Sergei Shoigu. It is noteworthy that he recorded his video message with a weapon in his hands.
"I just arrived from the forefront, from the front line, by order of the leadership of the Ministry of Defence, where our troops fight the enemy to the death with superior enemy forces, suffer losses, but hold their positions.
I appeal to the leadership, commanders and fighters of the Wagner PMC. We fought with you, suffered losses, won together. We are of one blood, we are warriors.
I urge you to stop, the enemy is just waiting for the domestic political situation to worsen. You can't play into their hands. Before it's too late, you need to obey the will and order of the popularly elected president of the Russian Federation, stop your convoys, and return them to their permanent locations. Only solve all problems peacefully, guided by Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation."
Background:
- Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that the regular Russian army had launched a missile strike on the Wagnerites’ rear camps. Prigozhin added that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had fled Rostov like a coward and "that creature will be stopped". Russia’s Ministry of Defence called this statement a provocation.
- Prigozhin has criticised Shoigu and the General Staff for the failure of hostilities, stating that Ukraine did not plan to attack Donbas in 2022, and said that the Russian officials wanted the war, and the oligarchs wanted to make money.
- The FSB has opened a criminal case against Prigozhin for incitement to armed rebellion.
- Photos of armoured vehicles on the streets of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don are being posted on Russian social media following Prigozhin’s statement about a de facto declaration of war against the Russian army. Checkpoints are being set up at entrances to Moscow.
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