Prigozhin Requests Russian Prosecutor's Office to Investigate Senior Defense Officials

The head of the Russian private military group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, on Wednesday requested the Russian prosecutor's office to investigate the possible involvement of senior Russian defense officials in any "crime" before or during the war in Ukraine. Prigozhin stated, "Today I sent messages to the Investigative Committee and the Attorney General's Office of the Russian Federation, requesting verification of the possibility that a group of senior officials in the Ministry of Defense committed a crime in preparing for and executing the special military operation." He added, "These messages will not be published because the investigative authorities will handle them." Prigozhin's request represents his largest public challenge to date against senior military leaders of President Vladimir Putin, as well as Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov.