Updated 01:09 | Published 00:37
The Russian security service FSB calls on the soldiers of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner to arrest its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and to refuse to follow his orders.
“Prigozhin’s statements and actions constitute in practice calls for an armed civil conflict on Russian territory and a stab in the back of Russian military,” the FSB said in a statement, according to the Russian state news agency Tass.
The Russian security service has opened a criminal investigation against Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin for inciting armed mutiny, according to the state news agency.
Allegation of bot attacks
The investigation follows accusations from the Wagner chief that Russian forces have deliberately bombed Wagner soldiers in the rear ranks.
– They have carried out robotic attacks against our rear lines, says a furious Yevgeny Prigozhin in one of several audio and video posts published on his social media on Friday evening.
According to Prigozhin – who accuses Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of being behind the attacks – a “huge” number of Wagner’s soldiers have been killed.
He further vows to avenge the attacks and says that Wagner, “with 25,000 soldiers”, will “march for justice”. He calls on all Russians to support the fight against the country’s military leadership, but adds that it is “not a military coup”.
National Guard on alert
What is the goal of the “march” is unclear.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has denied the allegations of attacks. President Vladimir Putin has been informed of the allegations, according to the Kremlin, which has said the necessary measures will be taken.
Security has been strengthened around Moscow and the special units of the Russian National Guard have been put on full alert in the Russian capital, writes Tass, who during the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine functioned as the state’s propaganda organ.
The Wagner group is a paramilitary force fighting on behalf of the Kremlin and in parallel with Russia’s regular army.
“Bathing in blood”
Among other things, the group has played an important role in Russia’s conquest of the now razed town of Bachmut in the Donetsk region, the longest and probably bloodiest battle in the conflict.
During the course of the war, Prigozhin became increasingly critical of the Kremlin in his rhetoric.
Earlier on Friday, he contradicted the description of the Ukrainian counter-offensive given by President Vladimir Putin.
– We bathe in blood. There will be no reservists. What they tell us is deeply misleading, Prigozhin said in a long interview published on his social media channels.