For First Time Since Revolt Against Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin Speaks, Calls Russian Military A ‘Disgrace’

Wagner Groups leader Yevgeny Prigozhin announced that his troops will not fight for Russia in the Ukrainian war, calling the campaign a “disgrace.”

The group is currently in the process of relocating to Belarus and plans on staying there. 

The mercenaries were some of Russia’s best fighters. But disagreements between Prigozhin and the military led to a failed rebellion culminating with Wagner soldiers marching to Moscow.

After calling off the march, Prigozhin and his troops were exiled from Russia. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko stepped in and created a deal with Progzhin, welcoming them to Belarus. 

Progzhin was spotted publicly in Belarus for the first time since the mutiny in a video that was posted on Wagner’s social media accounts on Thursday. In the video, it seems that Prigozhin is greeting his men in Belarus. It appears that Prigozhin has taken the deal offered to him by Lukashenko. 

The video features an unidentified man who states, “No one can write anymore that we are without flag or motherland. Here is the commander who gave us his name.” Then Prigozhin, in a baseball cap, says, “For those of you who don’t know, I am that very Wagner.” The other people behind the camera cheer and clap for him. 

In the video, Prigozhin says, “We fought with dignity. We did a lot for Russia. What is happening now on the front is a disgrace.”

The Wagner Group was an essential force for Russia in the Ukranian war, offering thousands of battle-hardened troops for the government to utilize. 

Reportedly, the mercenaries will stay in Belarus to improve and train the Belarusian army. In addition to this, they will prepare to fight in Africa against rebel forces, where they are already involved and have established operations, mainly for security issues and advancing Russian interests. The Wagner troops also have a long history of violating many human rights laws against African citizens who have opposed them. 

The last reported news about Prigozhin and the Wagner Group commanders was that they were invited to Kremlin by Vladimir Putin for a meeting. A Kremlin spokesperson announced that the Wagner Group “underscored that they are staunch supporters and soldiers of the head of state and the commander-in-chief, and also said that they are ready to continue to fight for their homeland.”