The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has launched a criminal probe after what it said was a "call for an armed mutiny" by Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.
"In connection with these statements, Russia's FSB has opened a criminal case," the National Anti-Terror Committee said on June 23 in a statement carried by Russian news agencies. "We demand that unlawful actions be stopped immediately," the statement said.
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General Sergei Surovikin, a deputy to Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, posted a video message on Telegram urging Wagner group fighters to give up their opposition to the military leadership and return to their bases.
"I urge you to stop," he said. "The enemy is just waiting for the internal political situation to worsen in our country."
The FSB said Prigozhin's comments amount to a call to start an armed civil conflict in Russia.
Security measures were tightened in Moscow and most important facilities were under guard, TASS reported, citing security services. Roadblocks were being set up on the Moscow-Voronezh-Rostov-on-Don highway, the Russian Service of the BBC reported.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed about Prigozhin’s comments and "necessary measures are being taken."
Prigozhin accused the Russian Defense Ministry of launching rocket attacks on the rear camps of his paramilitary unit using artillery and attack helicopters.
In a series of audio messages on his Telegram channel, Prigozhin said there were many victims in the ranks of his mercenary group but did not specify exactly where the strikes took place.
The Defense Ministry responded by saying that the statements "do not correspond to reality," calling them a "provocation."
Wagner’s council of commanders decided after the strikes that the "evil" of the Russian military leadership "must be stopped," Prigozhin said, adding: "Those who destroyed our lads, who destroyed the lives of many tens of thousands of Russian soldiers, will be punished. I ask that no one offer resistance."
He said it was “not a military coup” rather a “march of justice."
He said he had 25,000 fighters at his disposal and called on all Russians who wanted to be in the group to join, including regular army servicemen. He promised to return Wagner to the Ukrainian front after the "restoration of justice."
A long interview with Prigozhin was published earlier on June 23, in which he criticized not only Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu but also the very idea of starting a war in Ukraine.
Prigozhin has issued frequent tirades on social media against the Russian Defense Ministry.
Amid fierce fighting for the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, Prigozhin repeatedly published videos sharply criticizing Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov for not providing enough ammunition.