MOSCOW: The Russian Defense Ministry has accused Ukrainian troops of capitalizing on the internal conflict between the Wagner mercenary group and the Russian military to prepare for an offensive near the Bakhmut area in eastern Ukraine.
In a statement carried by news agencies, the ministry stated that the Kiev regime was concentrating units for offensive actions, taking advantage of the provocation orchestrated by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner.
Amidst these developments, Moscow authorities have reportedly implemented heightened security measures in response to Prigozhin’s call for the removal of Russia’s military leadership. According to the state-run news agency TASS, critical facilities, government buildings, and transportation infrastructure in Moscow are now under reinforced protection.
Wagner Chief Accused of Instigating Civil Conflict
Russia’s FSB security service has accused Prigozhin of instigating a “civil conflict” and has urged Wagner fighters to detain him. The FSB’s statement, carried by Russian news agencies, described Prigozhin’s actions as a betrayal of Russian servicemen fighting against pro-fascist Ukrainian forces. They called for measures to be taken to apprehend him.
In response to the situation, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry tweeted that they were closely monitoring the infighting in Moscow. Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, commented that rival factions in Russia had begun to “eat each other” in a struggle for power and money.
