Who is the head of the mercenary group calling for an armed rebellion in Russia? The head of the private military contractor Wagner called Friday for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russia’s defense minister. Prigozhin said his troops would now punish Shoigu in an armed rebellion and urged the army not to offer resistance. The U.S. has estimated Wagner had about 50,000 personnel fighting in Ukraine, including 10,000 contractors and 40,000 convicts. Prigozhin also has singled out Shoigu for withering criticism while accusing Russian military leaders of incompetence.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 24, 2023 16:10 UTC