Changes

==Wagnergate scandal==

==Wagnergate scandal==

Ukraine’s military intelligence plan to kidnap 33 members of the Wagner group ended in failure.  The plan was the brainchild of a joint U.S.-Ukrainian intelligence operation.  Ex-Ukrainian dictator [[Petro Poroshenko]] said in a [[Facebook]] video on March 4, 2021, “The truth is that in 1918 [sic; should be 2018] I gave authorization to prepare this operation, which was the most difficult one in the history of the [[Security Service of Ukraine|Ukrainian special services]]. The truth is that our intelligence services, in cooperation with [[Western alliance|Western partners]], prepared it brilliantly, down to the smallest detail. And the bitter truth is that in the last hours before the arrest of the criminals, information about the operation was leaked from the President’s Office of Ukraine to Russia. In the summer of 2020, a year after I left office, this happened. And it is the direct responsibility of [[Volodymyr Zelensky]]".<ref>https://www.facebook.com/petroporoshenko/posts/2385129268288118</ref>

Ukraine's military intelligence plan to kidnap 33 members of the Wagner group ended in failure.  The plan was the brainchild of a joint U.S.-Ukrainian intelligence operation.  Ex-Ukrainian dictator [[Petro Poroshenko]] said in a [[Facebook]] video on March 4, 2021, “The truth is that in 1918 [sic; should be 2018] I gave authorization to prepare this operation, which was the most difficult one in the history of the [[Security Service of Ukraine|Ukrainian special services]]. The truth is that our intelligence services, in cooperation with [[Western alliance|Western partners]], prepared it brilliantly, down to the smallest detail. And the bitter truth is that in the last hours before the arrest of the criminals, information about the operation was leaked from the President’s Office of Ukraine to Russia. In the summer of 2020, a year after I left office, this happened. And it is the direct responsibility of [[Volodymyr Zelensky]]".<ref>https://www.facebook.com/petroporoshenko/posts/2385129268288118</ref>

==Special Military Operation==

==Special Military Operation==

===Battle of Bakhmut===

===Battle of Bakhmut===

{{See also|Battle of Bakhmut}}

{{See also|Battle of Bakhmut}}

The Wagner group described their most successful [[tactic]]s in [[Bakhmut]]: it consists of small groups of men, 8 or so max, operating independently, storming forward to intentionally close in within 50-150 meters of the [[AFU]] positions, so as to prevent the enemy’s rear artillery from firing, for fear that they will hit their own men. They call it, “riding the shoulders of the enemy”. But the key detail is a strict devotion to staying separated in small, isolated fire teams.

The Wagner group described their most successful [[tactic]]s in [[Bakhmut]]: it consists of small groups of men, 8 or so max, operating independently, storming forward to intentionally close in within 50–150 meters of the [[AFU]] positions, so as to prevent the enemy's rear artillery from firing, for fear that they will hit their own men. They call it, “riding the shoulders of the enemy”. But the key detail is a strict devotion to staying separated in small, isolated fire teams.

==Wagner mutiny==

==Wagner mutiny==

''[[The Washington Post]]'' claimed to have obtained previously unreported documents from the [[Pentagon]] [[leak]]s alleging that Prigozhin was secretly in cahoots with [[Kiev]]. It was published the day after ''WaPo'' asked [[Zelensky]] about it on May 14, 2023.<ref>[https://archive.is/vqAwI Wagner chief offered to give Russian troop locations to Ukraine, leak says], By Shane Harris and Isabelle Khurshudyan, ''The Washington Post'', May 14, 2023.</ref>  Zelensky reacted angrily to their summary of the so-called 'Discord Leaks' contents. Zelensky then asked ''WaPo'' who passed the information along, and accused whoever it may have been of committing treason.<ref>https://theduran.com/zelensky-revealed-what-the-washington-post-deleted-video/</ref>   

''[[The Washington Post]]'' claimed to have obtained previously unreported documents from the [[Pentagon]] [[leak]]s alleging that Prigozhin was secretly in cahoots with [[Kiev]]. It was published the day after ''WaPo'' asked [[Zelensky]] about it on May 14, 2023.<ref>[https://archive.is/vqAwI Wagner chief offered to give Russian troop locations to Ukraine, leak says], By Shane Harris and Isabelle Khurshudyan, ''The Washington Post'', May 14, 2023.</ref>  Zelensky reacted angrily to their summary of the so-called 'Discord Leaks' contents. Zelensky then asked ''WaPo'' who passed the information along, and accused whoever it may have been of committing treason.<ref>https://theduran.com/zelensky-revealed-what-the-washington-post-deleted-video/</ref>   

On June 20, 2023 the [[Pentagon]] alleged that a $6.2 accounting "error" allowed for the transfer of more wealth from the United States to Ukraine.<ref>https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-weapons-surplus-funding-72eeb6119439146f1939d5b1973a44ef</ref> As required by law, the [[Gang of 8]] in the [[U.S. Congress]] had been briefed on the covert operation by the Biden regime beforehand.<ref>https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-intelligence-knew-days-advance-wagner-rebellion-briefed-congress</ref>

On June 20, 2023, the [[Pentagon]] alleged that a $6.2 accounting "error" allowed for the transfer of more wealth from the United States to Ukraine.<ref>https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-weapons-surplus-funding-72eeb6119439146f1939d5b1973a44ef</ref> As required by law, the [[Gang of 8]] in the [[U.S. Congress]] had been briefed on the covert operation by the Biden regime beforehand.<ref>https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-intelligence-knew-days-advance-wagner-rebellion-briefed-congress</ref>

The Wagner group's contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense expired on May 21, 2023, and the group was to be disbanded on June 23.  The day prior on June 22, ''Rybar'' reported,

The Wagner group's contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense expired on May 21, 2023, and the group was to be disbanded on June 23.  The day prior on June 22, ''Rybar'' reported,

Hours before the mutiny commenced on the morning of June 23, 2023, ''[[Newsweek]]'' published a story entitled, ''Putin is Underestimating Prigozhin's Rise in Popularity''.<ref>https://www.newsweek.com/putin-prigozhin-wagner-group-popularity-war-ukraine-shoigu-1808145</ref>  

Hours before the mutiny commenced on the morning of June 23, 2023, ''[[Newsweek]]'' published a story entitled, ''Putin is Underestimating Prigozhin's Rise in Popularity''.<ref>https://www.newsweek.com/putin-prigozhin-wagner-group-popularity-war-ukraine-shoigu-1808145</ref>  

In a rather long and erratic interview, Prigozhin made the shocking claim that Russia’s pretext for the war in Ukraine was an outright lie and that the war had been fraught with corruption and the murder of civilians. Things then got even crazier when Wagner claimed that the Russian army had struck their camp with a missile. The video which was released purporting to show the aftermath of this “missile strike” did not show an impact crater, debris, or any wounded or killed Wagner personnel. The “damage” from the missile consisted of two campfires burning in a trench.

In a rather long and erratic interview, Prigozhin made the shocking claim that Russia's pretext for the war in Ukraine was an outright lie and that the war had been fraught with corruption and the murder of civilians. Things then got even crazier when Wagner claimed that the Russian army had struck their camp with a missile. The video which was released purporting to show the aftermath of this “missile strike” did not show an impact crater, debris, or any wounded or killed Wagner personnel. The “damage” from the missile consisted of two campfires burning in a trench.

The video obviously did not show the aftermath of a missile attack, but Prigozhin’s rhetoric escalated after this. It seemed to center on personal grudges against Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

The video obviously did not show the aftermath of a missile attack, but Prigozhin's rhetoric escalated after this. It seemed to center on personal grudges against Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

==='March for justice'===

==='March for justice'===

A few videos came from the Russian authorities, including one featuring General Surovikin holding a pistol, apparently pleading with Wagner to “stop the movement of their columns” and return to their posts.  [[President Vladimir Putin]] spoke on television. He recalled the precedent of 1917, when [[Lenin]] withdrew Tsarist Russia from the [[First World War]] when it was close to victory. He called on everyone to assume their responsibilities and serve the fatherland rather than personal adventure.

A few videos came from the Russian authorities, including one featuring General Surovikin holding a pistol, apparently pleading with Wagner to “stop the movement of their columns” and return to their posts.  [[President Vladimir Putin]] spoke on television. He recalled the precedent of 1917, when [[Lenin]] withdrew Tsarist Russia from the [[First World War]] when it was close to victory. He called on everyone to assume their responsibilities and serve the fatherland rather than personal adventure.

During his speech, Vladimir Putin praised the valour of Wagner’s soldiers, many of whom died for their country. He did not hold them responsible for the situation, but asked them not to follow their leader against the state and therefore against the people.  Concluding his short address to the nation, President Putin declared: "We will save what is dear and [[holy]] to us. We will overcome all tests, we will become even stronger".  The speech was broadcast over and over again on Russian TV, dramatizing the situation.

During his speech, Vladimir Putin praised the valour of Wagner's soldiers, many of whom died for their country. He did not hold them responsible for the situation, but asked them not to follow their leader against the state and therefore against the people.  Concluding his short address to the nation, President Putin declared: "We will save what is dear and [[holy]] to us. We will overcome all tests, we will become even stronger".  The speech was broadcast over and over again on Russian TV, dramatizing the situation.

The [[Ukrainian propaganda war|Ukrainian propaganda machine]] kicked into overdrive, with characters like [[Anton Gerashchenko]] and Igor Sushko absolutely bombarding [[social media]] with [[fake news|fake stories]] about Russian army units mutinying and regional governors “defecting” to Prigozhin - in effect positing that this was not just an uprising by Wagner against the state, but a wholesale revolt of the Russian system against Putin’s government. In fact there were no defections in any regular Russian military units or regional governments, no civil unrest, and no denunciations of Putin. The mutiny was confined to the Wagner Group, and even so not all of Wagner participated. Many who arrived in Rostov with Prigozhin didn't even know what they were there for.  Ukrainian propagandists appealed on social networks to Belarusian neo-nazis to take advantage of the Russian disorder, rise up and eliminate President Alexander Lukashenko

The [[Ukrainian propaganda war|Ukrainian propaganda machine]] kicked into overdrive, with characters like [[Anton Gerashchenko]] and Igor Sushko absolutely bombarding [[social media]] with [[fake news|fake stories]] about Russian army units mutinying and regional governors “defecting” to Prigozhin - in effect positing that this was not just an uprising by Wagner against the state, but a wholesale revolt of the Russian system against Putin's government. In fact there were no defections in any regular Russian military units or regional governments, no civil unrest, and no denunciations of Putin. The mutiny was confined to the Wagner Group, and even so not all of Wagner participated. Many who arrived in Rostov with Prigozhin didn't even know what they were there for.  Ukrainian propagandists appealed on social networks to Belarusian neo-Nazis to take advantage of the Russian disorder, rise up and eliminate President Alexander Lukashenko

The government of Belarus announced that a settlement had been negotiated with Prigozhin and Putin. Belarussian [[President Alexander Lukashenko]]’s office claimed “they came to agreements on the inadmissibility of unleashing a bloody massacre on the territory of Russia.” Lukashenko warned Prigozhin that he would be “crushed like a bug” should he dare to continue his march. The column turned aside from the road to Moscow and returned to Wagner’s field camps around Ukraine, and the Wagner forces left in Rostov packed up and left.  The terms of the settlement were anticlimactic: the treason case against Prigozhin was dropped and he was exiled to Belarus; Wagner fighters who participated in the uprising would not be charged and would return to operations in Ukraine; Wagner fighters that did not participate in the uprising would sign contracts with the Russian military (essentially exiting Wagner and become regular contract troops); a vague reference to “security guarantees” for Wagner fighters.

The government of Belarus announced that a settlement had been negotiated with Prigozhin and Putin. Belarussian [[President Alexander Lukashenko]]’s office claimed “they came to agreements on the inadmissibility of unleashing a bloody massacre on the territory of Russia.” Lukashenko warned Prigozhin that he would be “crushed like a bug” should he dare to continue his march. The column turned aside from the road to Moscow and returned to Wagner's field camps around Ukraine, and the Wagner forces left in Rostov packed up and left.  The terms of the settlement were anticlimactic: the treason case against Prigozhin was dropped and he was exiled to Belarus; Wagner fighters who participated in the uprising would not be charged and would return to operations in Ukraine; Wagner fighters that did not participate in the uprising would sign contracts with the Russian military (essentially exiting Wagner and become regular contract troops); a vague reference to “security guarantees” for Wagner fighters.

===Aftermath===

===Aftermath===

The ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''' called the incident “a dime-store coup that folded like a cheap suit on its first encounter with reality”.  [[CNN]] revealed that the US and other NATO conspirators asked the Kyiv regime to refrain from striking Russian territory during the operation.<ref>https://tass.com/world/1638911</ref> [[Serbia]]n President [[Aleksandar Vucic]] publicly remarked that foreign intelligence agencies played a role in the Wagner PMC's action.<ref>https://nexusnewsfeed.com/article/geopolitics/foreign-powers-involved-in-coup-attempt-in-russia-serbian-president/</ref>

The ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''' called the incident “a dime-store coup that folded like a cheap suit on its first encounter with reality”.  [[CNN]] revealed that the US and other NATO conspirators asked the Kyiv regime to refrain from striking Russian territory during the operation.<ref>https://tass.com/world/1638911</ref> [[Serbia]]n President [[Aleksandar Vucic]] publicly remarked that foreign intelligence agencies played a role in the Wagner PMC's action.<ref>https://nexusnewsfeed.com/article/geopolitics/foreign-powers-involved-in-coup-attempt-in-russia-serbian-president/</ref>

In August 2023 Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) secretary [[Oleksiy Danilov]] claimed the mutiny was faked and pre-planned by Vladimir Putin and Prigozhin.<ref>https://news.yahoo.com/prigozhin-mutiny-planned-special-operation-173200596.html</ref>  Prigozhin was killed in plane crash on August 23, 2023 in the Tver region.<ref>https://seymourhersh.substack.com/p/why-putin-killed-prigozhin</ref> Gen. [[Sergey Surovikin]], also known as "General Armageddon", was reported to have taken over command of Wagner forces in [[Africa]] in mid-September. Wagner forces were reported to have been incorporated into another private military company known as "REDUT".

In August 2023 Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) secretary [[Oleksiy Danilov]] claimed the mutiny was faked and pre-planned by Vladimir Putin and Prigozhin.<ref>https://news.yahoo.com/prigozhin-mutiny-planned-special-operation-173200596.html</ref>  Prigozhin was killed in plane crash on August 23, 2023, in the Tver region.<ref>https://seymourhersh.substack.com/p/why-putin-killed-prigozhin</ref> Gen. [[Sergey Surovikin]], also known as "General Armageddon", was reported to have taken over command of Wagner forces in [[Africa]] in mid-September. Wagner forces were reported to have been incorporated into another private military company known as "REDUT".

Also in August 2023, after the Wagner group had been redeployed to Belarus while still under Prigozhin's command, Poland reported two Wagner group helicopters intruded into its airspace.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/03/world/europe/poland-belarus-wagner-nato.html</ref> [[Moscow]] did not authorize the provocation with a [[NATO]] member state. Prigozhin died in a mysterious plane crash 3 weeks later.

Also in August 2023, after the Wagner group had been redeployed to Belarus while still under Prigozhin's command, Poland reported two Wagner group helicopters intruded into its airspace.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/03/world/europe/poland-belarus-wagner-nato.html</ref> [[Moscow]] did not authorize the provocation with a [[NATO]] member state. Prigozhin died in a mysterious plane crash 3 weeks later.

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

==External link==

==External links==

*[https://www.bitchute.com/video/w81ndExhrPMq/ SUBTITLED RT EPISODE ON WAGNER PMC]

*[https://www.bitchute.com/video/w81ndExhrPMq/ SUBTITLED RT EPISODE ON WAGNER PMC]

*[https://youtu.be/K0NabV9YCE0 Zone of Redemption] (Eng subs, 49 mins). Documentary about prison inmates fighting with the Wagner PMC.

*[https://youtu.be/K0NabV9YCE0 Zone of Redemption] (Eng subs, 49 mins). Documentary about prison inmates fighting with the Wagner PMC.