Russian state television on Monday aired footage of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspecting Russian troops in Ukraine, marking the first public appearance after the suspended uprising of the Wagner paramilitary group.
According to footage broadcast by the Rossiya 24 television channel, Shoigu, the target of harsh criticism by the leader of the Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the defense minister went to a command post of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine and “met the leaders” of a of the units.
During the visit, the official found “high efficiency in identifying and destroying military equipment and enemy positioning points in the tactical areas of the area of responsibility” of the unit, stated in a statement published on the Telegram platform, the Russian Ministry of Defense, which also released a video.
#RussiaMinister of Defence #Shoigu made his first public appearance since then #prigozhin‘s rebellion.
It is alleged that Shoigu visited the command post of one of the associations of the western group of invaders. pic.twitter.com/cVIw7Bwbyt
– NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 26, 2023
“Shoigu has paid special attention to organizing comprehensive support for the forces involved in the special military operation and creating conditions for the safe deployment of personnel,” the ministry said.
The government department also noted that the minister heard a presentation from the group’s commander, Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov, “about the current situation, the nature of the enemy’s actions and the conduct of combat missions of Russian troops in the main tactical directions”.as well as about the newly formed reserve regiments.
While the exact date of Shoigu’s visit is not known, he has not appeared in public since Friday, when he briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on the progress of the war at a Security Council meeting.
During the uprising organized by the leader of the Wagner group, the minister was silent.
Yevgeny Prigozhin justified the armed uprising with the lack of leadership of Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valeri Gerasimov in Ukraine, accusing them of being responsible for the deaths of about “100,000 Russian soldiers”.
Prigozhin suspended uprising movements in Russia against the military command on Saturday less than 24 hours after occupying Rostov, a key city in the south of the country before the war in Ukraine.
Before the suspension, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the group’s action as a rebellion, saying it represented a “mortal threat” to the Russian state and treason.
Prigozhin had previously accused the Russian military of attacking his mercenary camps, causing “a very large number of casualties”, allegations denied by the Russian Defense Ministry.
Prigozhin’s accusations expose deep tensions within Moscow’s troops over the offensive in Ukraine.
At the end of the day, Prigozhin announced that he had negotiated an agreement with the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
Source: DN
