"Russian Businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, Leader of Wagner Group, Initiates Armed Rebellion against President Vladimir Putin"
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, a private military company known for its collaboration with the Russian Army, has made a significant proclamation.
According to his statement, he has assumed control of all military installations in Rostov-on-Don, a city situated in the southern region of Russia. Prigozhin accuses Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of authorizing an airstrike on a Wagner camp in Ukraine, resulting in the loss of 2,000 soldiers' lives. In response, he is advocating for an armed rebellion to depose the leadership of the Russian Military.
Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin?
Yevgeny Prigozhin is a Russian entrepreneur who gained notoriety as the founder of the Wagner Group. While initially denying any association with the group, he eventually acknowledged his role as its founder. Due to his catering company's contracts with the Kremlin, Prigozhin has earned the moniker "Putin's chef." He has been implicated in orchestrating media and social media manipulation and is wanted by the FBI for alleged involvement in the Internet Research Agency's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Prigozhin has had a contentious relationship with Russia's Ministry of Defense, openly criticizing its leaders and accusing them of neglecting his troops in Ukraine. Currently, he is leading an armed rebellion against the Russian leadership.
What is the Wagner Group?
The Wagner Group, also known as PMC Wagner, is a clandestine private military company involved in various global conflicts. It is renowned as a "shadow army" due to its secretive operations. Wagner mercenaries have been reported to partake in conflicts such as the Ukrainian conflict, the Syrian Civil War, and the Central African Republic, among others.
The group emerged in 2014 when it provided support to pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine. Initially composed of approximately 5,000 fighters and primarily active in the Middle East and Africa, its manpower and influence expanded significantly during the separatist conflict in Ukraine's Donbas region following Russia's annexation of Crimea.
The Wagner Group has garnered infamy for its brutal tactics and has showcased its capabilities in diverse international theaters.
It played a significant role in the Syrian civil war, fighting alongside the Russian-backed government of President Bashar Assad.
Moreover, the group was heavily involved in the Russia-Ukraine war, particularly in the conquest of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
Yevgeny Prigozhin's declaration has provoked a strong response from President Vladimir Putin, who denounced it as a "betrayal" and pledged to take punitive measures against those responsible. Prigozhin maintains that his objective is not to orchestrate a military coup but rather to seek justice.
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