In a volatile turn of events, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, has publicly accused Moscow's military leadership of orchestrating strikes against their camps, leading to significant casualties.

Prigozhin's incendiary comments, delivered via an audio message, assert that despite their willingness to cooperate and surrender their weapons to the Defense Ministry, they have been subjected to missile strikes. In response to the perceived betrayal, Prigozhin has promised to take a firm stand against Moscow's top military leadership.

"The council of commanders of PMC Wagner has made a decision — the evil that the military leadership of the country brings must be stopped," Prigozhin stated in the audio message. He urged Russians to remain calm and not to resist his forces.

In response, the Russian Defense Ministry has dismissed Prigozhin's claims as a "provocation," maintaining that they do not align with reality.

Despite the controversy, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has assured that President Vladimir Putin is well-informed of the "unfolding situation" around Prigozhin and that necessary measures are being taken.

Prigozhin, once a close ally of President Putin, has become increasingly critical of Moscow in recent weeks, openly questioning the need for military operations. These escalating tensions between Moscow and Wagner signal a significant shift in their relationship.

Prigozhin, a former convict turned business mogul, has not shied away from controversy. He openly admitted to running the Wagner group and interfering in US elections. His forces, supplemented by prison recruits, played a crucial role in Russia's capture of the Donetsk region town, Bakhmut.

The recent power struggle between Prigozhin and the Defence Ministry adds another layer of complexity to an already turbulent situation. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the dynamic of the ongoing conflicts, both within Russia and on the global stage.