A brief mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group last month did not affect Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday, making his first comments about the short-lived rebellion.
Wagner fighters took over the southern Russian city of Rostov and advanced towards Moscow on June 24 as their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin demanded the dismissal of Shoigu and chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov.
Shoigu said the mutiny aimed to destabilize Russia, but failed because of troops’ loyalty and did not impact the situation on the frontlines.
“The provocation did not affect the actions of army groups (involved in the operation),” he told a ministry meeting. — Reuters
