Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, escorted by a group of officers, greets a military medic as he inspects Russian troops in Ukraine.The FSB urged Wagner’s soldiers to arrest Prigozhin on mutiny charges and refuse to follow his “criminal and treacherous orders.” It called his statements a “stab in the back to Russian troops” and said they amounted to fomenting an armed conflict in Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, speaks with Chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov, left, and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Putin has been made aware of the situation with Wagner, state media said.Since Russia launched its war in Ukraine 16 months ago, Wagner’s forces have been among the most successful even as Russia’s invasion has largely been stalled by Ukraine’s defense forces, backed by Western allies.
Yevgeny Prigozhin holding a Russian national flag in front of his soldiers in Bakhmut, Ukraine, which they successfully captured last year.Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner Group military company members wave a Russian national and Wagner flag atop a damaged building in Bakhmut.The Russian Defense Ministry required all military contractors to sign contracts with it before July 1, but Prigozhin refused to comply.