Putin announced the difficult struggle of Russia for its future

Russia is waging a hard struggle for its future, the entire military and information machine of the West is directed against it, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a video message to the Russians. The head of state commented on the situation around the founder of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin, against whom a criminal case had previously been opened for organizing an armed rebellion.

“Today Russia is waging a hard fight for its future, repelling the aggression of neo-Nazis and their masters, virtually the entire military, economic and information machine of the West is directed against us, we are fighting for the life and security of our people, for our sovereignty and independence,” Putin said.

According to the president, “the battle when the fate of the people is decided” requires the unity of all forces, the unity of consolidation and responsibility, and actions that split this unity are, in fact, apostasy from one’s people.

On the evening of June 23, in social networks associated with the founder of Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, on his behalf, it was announced about a missile attack on one of the rear camps of a military company and other statements were circulated. The Ministry of Defense stated that reports of attacks on Wagner PMC fighters are not true and are an “information provocation.” The Prosecutor General’s Office reported that the Investigation Department of the FSB of Russia opened a criminal case on the organization of an armed rebellion against Prigozhin. Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov said that Vladimir Putin was informed about what was happening. Later, the Kremlin spoke about the forthcoming presidential address.

Today, the Ministry of Defense urged Wagner PMC fighters to “show prudence” and contact the ministry or law enforcement agencies in order to safely return to their permanent deployment points. The ministry noted that the Wagner fighters were “tricked into Prigozhin’s criminal adventure and participation in an armed rebellion”, and said that several people had already “realized their mistake” and asked for help “in ensuring the ability to safely return to their permanent deployment points” . Assistance has already been provided to them, the Ministry of Defense said.