Russian shadow private mercenary force Wagner group, directed by Yevgeniy Prigozhin and under the direct supervision of the Kremlin, launched a military coup on Friday, June 23, 2023, calling for the removal of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian Premier declared that the group is a threat to the country in the upcoming televised address to the nation and gave the military orders to put down the uprising.
According to recent reports, a mercenary militia group with around 50,000 soldiers, mostly U.S.-trained Afghan commandos, anti-Taliban fighters, ex convicts, has taken control of the Rostov-on-Don military command base in southern Russia and is moving north through Voronezh, which is six hours from Moscow. The Russian troops are bombing the convoy as part of a counteroffensive, which is preventing Wagner’s convoy from moving forward.
Law enforcement agencies have increased security in and around Moscow, and Kremlin protection has been improved. According to the state-run TASS news, all crucial infrastructure, transit, and facilities have been given increased security. The Joint Group of Forces’ deputy commander, Russian Army General Sergei Surovikin, has pleaded with the Wagner fighters to stop what they are doing. The Kremlin has received support from Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya, who is prepared to put an end to the violent rebellion.
The chief of the Wagner group accused Russia of organising an attack that killed 2000 of his men, and the Kremlin and that outfit were at odds. He has said that Sergei Shoigu, the defence minister of Russia, is to blame for launching the conflict in Ukraine.
The European Union and United States of America are monitoring the developing situation involving the Wagner fighters and Russia. The Russian President has reached out to Turkish President Erdogan and the premier has endorsed the actions of the security forces pledging full support to Russia.
The growing uprising does not bode well for Vladimir Putin’s reputation and undoubtedly puts him in a vulnerable position, giving Ukrainian troops time to recover and conduct counteroffensive operations to retake Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.
The insurrection of the Wagner group emphasizes the significance of controlling international criminal organizations, state-sponsored fundamentalist groups like the Taliban, and disbanding them to prevent turmoil and unrest in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
