Crisis in Russia; Are Wagner Mercenaries Turning Their Weapons Against Russia?

The Wagner mercenary group, which has been fighting for Russia's success in the battle against Ukraine for the past year, has recently changed its stance and is now targeting the Kremlin in protest against Moscow's policies. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the commander of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, has announced that Russian attacks have resulted in the deaths of many of his group's forces, and he intends to take revenge. He has also stated that the Russian army should not resist his group. According to Reuters, a statement attributed to Prigozhin, 'the head of the Wagner paramilitary group,' has been published on social media, calling on the Russian people to take to the streets and revolt. He also claimed that Russian soldiers are with him and his group. Prigozhin, who has launched a series of severe media attacks against the Russian Defense Minister in recent weeks, has also promised to hang 'Shoigu,' the Defense Minister, in Red Square in Moscow and bury him next to 'Lenin.' In a series of voice messages on his official Telegram channel, he stated that the Russian Defense Minister ordered the bodies of 2,000 soldiers killed in the war against Ukraine to be hidden to conceal the high number of Russian casualties in the war. He threatened the Kremlin, saying, 'We will punish those who destroyed tens of thousands of Russian soldiers. We are 25,000 strong and want to stop the chaos in Russia; it is better that no one resists us.' An unverified video indicates that a missile attack by the Russian army has resulted in casualties among Wagner fighters. Prigozhin promised revenge but also denied rumors of a military coup. The Russian Defense Ministry, however, rejected the accusations made by Prigozhin and accused the head of the Wagner paramilitary group of rebellion against Moscow, stating that President Vladimir Putin is aware of these developments and 'necessary measures are being taken.' Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner paramilitary group and a member of Vladimir Putin's inner circle, has been involved in leading battles in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut and other areas during the 15-month war in Ukraine, but he has always been at odds with the army and the Russian Defense Ministry over tactics, logistical support, and other issues. According to TASS news agency, the Russian Federal Security Service has opened a criminal case against Yevgeny Prigozhin. The Russian parliament is expected to support the recruitment of criminals into the Russian army. Prigozhin: Factions in the Kremlin are trying to undermine the Russian government. A deadly missile attack by Russia on a clinic in Ukraine; Zelensky: Another crime against humanity. The commander of Wagner Russia: More than 20,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the battle of Bakhmut. Ukrainian tanks attacked Russian positions near Soledar. The Wagner group, after threatening to retreat, has decided to stay in Bakhmut for now.