The ICC said there were reasonable grounds to believe that the two bore responsibility for Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian electrical infrastructure during the course of the war.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague said on Tuesday (June 25) it is seeking the arrest of former Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and current military chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov.
The charges pertain to alleged crimes committed during Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Attacks on energy infrastructure at the heart of the warrants
The court said in a press release on Tuesday that there were “reasonable grounds to believe that the two suspects bear responsibility for missile strikes carried out by the Russian armed forces against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure from at least 10 October 2022 until at least 9 March 2023”.
The Russian officials are accused of responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity for directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects in Ukraine.
Andrey Belousov has since taken over as defence minister.
Russia dismisses charges as ‘void’ and part of ‘West’s hybrid war’
The Russian Security Council dismissed the arrest warrants as pointless in its initial response on Tuesday, describing them as “a shaking of the air”, an idiom for an action with no real impact.
“This is a shaking of the air, as the ICC’s jurisdiction does not extend to Russia, and was adopted as part of the West’s hybrid war against our country,” the press service of the Russian Security Council said, as relayed by the Interfax news agency.
It described the decision as “null and void”.
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said earlier this year, commenting on other ICC warrants against a pair of military officials, that Russia did not recognise ICC decisions, as Moscow was “not party to the statute”.
Who are Shoigu and Gerasmiov?
Shoigu, 69, served as defence minister for more than a decade under Putin, starting in 2012, prior to his unexpected dismissal in May.
He’s known to be close to Putin – the pair were famously pictured bare-chested, hiking and fishing together on holiday in Shoigu’s native Siberia.
His position was weakened by the arrest of one of his deputies this April amid a major corruption scandal.
Gerasimov, 68, was also appointed to his post in 2012. He’s the overall commander of the Russian war effort in Ukraine.
Gerasimov has stayed in his post but is also deemed vulnerable, with his deputy at the general staff among those detained and under investigation in the corruption probe.
In terms of Russia’s military structure, his post is outranked only by two politicians: Putin himself, who is commander-in-chief, and the defence minister.
In total, the ICC has sought the arrest of eight Russian officials since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia is not a full signatory to the ICC and generally does not extradite its citizens. It’s not clear whether they will ever face trial, therefore. The tribunal has no police force of its own and relies on member states to make arrests on its behalf.
Ukraine is also not a member, but has granted the ICC authority to investigate and prosecute crimes committed on its territory from the 2014 annexation of Crimea onwards, explaining how the indictments are possible.
If nothing else, the warrants are liable to limit the travel options for the affected officials, assuming they do not want to risk arrest.
The Wagner chief has long been in favour of installing a new Russian military leadership, which he has repeatedly criticised for defeats in Ukraine.
Tensions between Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russian military have escalated, though the Wagner Group leader has now halted his troops. Here are the key players in the conflict.
Yevgeny Prigozhin
The head of the independent paramilitary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin was previously considered one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest confidants. The Wagner Group has been instrumental in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, particularly in and around Bakhmut, not to mention in conflicts in Syria and across the African continent in recent years.
But the close ties between Prigozhin and the Kremlin leadership have suffered in recent months: The Wagner chief has long been in favour of installing a new Russian military leadership, which he has repeatedly criticised for defeats in Ukraine.
Tensions have been increasing since June 23, when Prigozhin accused the military leadership, in particular his archenemy, defence minister Sergei Shoigu, of lying to the Russian people about the true reasons for the war in February 2022. He also accused Russian troops of attacking the Wagner Group.
In a televised national address on June 24, Putin called the Wagner mercenaries “traitors” who would “inevitably be punished” – the final break between the Kremlin and Prigozhin.
After a deal was struck late June 24, the investigation into Prigozhin by the FSB, Russia’s domestic intelligence agency, was called off, provided that the mercenary boss moves to Belarus. According to the terms of the deal, Wagner’s soldiers also will not face retribution.
Sergei Shoigu
Russia’s defence minister since 2012, Sergei Shoigu has been among the main perpetrators of the military aggression against Ukraine since 2014 and, to an even greater extent, since the all-out war began on February 24, 2022. Shoigu stands accused of numerous war crimes.
Nominally, he is Putin’s most important man – though there are doubts about how much trust the former Kremlin darling still enjoys. While he could count the occupation of Crimea in 2014 and Russian involvement in Syria as successes, his reputation has declined since the war against Ukraine began. The fact that Putin hoped the invasion would go much differently is considered an open secret.
Shoigu’s relationship with Prigozhin is particularly strained. The head of the Wagner mercenary force has repeatedly accused the defence ministry of failing to deliver ammunition. Prigozhin has also said that Shoigu is pursuing personal goals and awards, such as a hero’s medal, while deceiving Putin about the situation in Ukraine. These accusations culminated recently when Prigozhin said that Shoigu had lied to the Russian people about the real reason for the invasion.
But the failure of Prigozhin’s rebellion is likely to strengthen Shoigu’s position again. The Russian military is loyal to its defence minister ― there were hardly any defectors that joined the Wagner troops. It remains to be seen how far this improves Shoigu’s currently strained relationship with Putin. For now, Putin is standing by his defence minister.
Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu speaks during a meeting with officials of the Defence Ministry in an unknown location, in this still image taken from video released on November 9, 2022. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters
Valery Gerasimov
Valery Gerasimov took over command of troops in Ukraine from Sergei Surovikin in January 2023. He is also responsible for organizing Russia’s military operation in Syria. Having assumed his post in 2012 after Shoigu was named defence minister, he may be considered a confidant of Shoigu, whom he serves as first deputy.
Wagner chief Prigozhin’s anger is directed at both Shoigu and Gerasimov, who he accuses of incompetence, holding them primarily responsible for heavy losses during the invasion of Ukraine. On Saturday, after claiming to have captured military facilities in the southern Russian city of Voronezh, Prigozhin threatened to march on Moscow unless Shoigu and Gerasimov joined his cause, and then followed through by moving north. But Prigozhin’s demands to dethrone or hand over both men were not successful. For now, Gerasimov is secure in his position.
Sergei Surovikin
Until now, deputy chief of General Staff for the Russian Armed Forces Sergei Surovikin was considered to be a Prigozhin ally. The general commanded the Russian forces in Ukraine from October 2022 to January 2023, before being demoted and replaced by Valery Gerasimov. Since the conflict escalated, he has however apparently turned his back on the head of the Wagner Group, calling on Prigozhin in a Friday evening video message to end the power struggle.
The enemy is just “waiting to see the exacerbation of our domestic political situation,” Surovikin said, calling for submission to Putin’s command.
Russian authorities have called for the arrest of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin amid claims of mutiny. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces said they were “watching” the situation unfold.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said Saturday his troops are heading off to support the Kremlin against the armed uprising by the Wagner Group.
“Fighters from the Ministry of Defense and the National Guard of the Chechen Republic have already left for the tense areas. We will do everything to preserve Russia’s unity and protect its statehood,” Kadyrov posted on Telegram.
Earlier on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation, where he spoke of an armed “mutiny” and announced that he would punish those who rebel.
“I support every word of Vladimir Putin,” Kadyrov said.
Chechen fighters are currently deployed with the Russian military in the war against Ukraine and, until recently, were fighting alongside Wagner mercenaries.
Fuel depot on fire in Voronezh, UK says Wagner has sights on Moscow
A fuel depot was on fire in Russia’s southern city of Voronezh on Saturday, the local governor announced after Moscow said the army was leading “combat” in the region amid a mutiny from Wagner mercenaries.
Voronezh authorities are “extinguishing a burning fuel depot,” Governor Alexander Gusev said on Telegram. “There are 100 firefighters and more than 30 vehicles at the scene,” he added, saying there were “no victims according to initial data.”
Some media have published a video showing a military helicopter in the area before an explosion.
Earlier on Saturday, Britain said the Wagner Group had crossed from Russian occupied parts of Ukraine to Russia in at least two locations, and had “almost certainly” occupied key security sites in Rostov-on-Don.
“Further Wagner units are moving north through Voronezh Oblast, almost certainly aiming to get to Moscow,” British intelligence said.
“With very limited evidence of fighting between Wagner and Russian security forces, some have likely remained passive, acquiescing to Wagner.”
Sunak urges ‘all parties’ to protect civilians
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called on “all parties” in Russia to protect civilians after the Wagner Group captured territory in Rostov and other regions.
“The most important thing I’d say is for all parties to be responsible and to protect civilians,” Sunak told the BBC in an interview.
“We’re keeping a close eye on the situation and how it’s evolving on the ground as we speak,” he added.
He also said he would speak with allies about the situation later on Saturday.
‘Russia’s weakness is obvious’: Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that the growing unrest in Russia is a result of its invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia’s weakness is obvious. Full-scale weakness,” he said in statement posted to social media after the Wagner Group captured territory in several Russian regions.
“The longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries on our land, the more chaos, pain, and problems it will have for itself later.”
Zelenskyy implied that Putin was unable to stop his troops from “fleeing and betraying when lift resists” in Ukraine.
Putin allies rally in support of Russian president
Some of Vladimir Putin’s closest allies rallied round in support of the Russian president on Saturday in the wake of the threat posed by the Wagner Group.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke to Putin by telephone and described the events in Russia as an internal affair while saying rule of law was necessary to maintain order.
The leader of Russia’s Orthodox Patriarch Kirill has called for “unity” and voiced support for Putin.
“Today, when our brothers are fighting and dying on the frontlines… any attempt to sow discord within the country is the greatest possible crime that has no justification,” Patriarch Kirill said in a statement. “I support the efforts of the head of the Russian state, aimed at not allowing turmoil in our country.”
Wagner leader hits back at Putin
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has responded to President Vladimir Putin’s “betrayal” comments, suggesting in fact that the mercenary group’s soldiers are Russian “patriots.”
“The president makes a deep mistake when he talks about treason,” Prigozhin said in an audio message.
Prigozhin also said that Wagner forces would not be “turning themselves in and confess at the order of the president, the FSB (security service) or anyone else. Because we don’t want the country to continue to live any longer in corruption, deceit and bureaucracy.”
Earlier on Saturday, Putin said Wagner fighters were traitors who must be punished.
Wagner assault ‘unprecedented’ in Russia
DW International Correspondent Roman Goncharenko said the reports of a Wagner Group mutiny could be a turning point for Russia.
“We’ve never seen anything like this in recent Russian history,” he said.
“Taking control of Rostov-on-Don, or at the least part of Rostov-on-Don where the headquarters of the Russian army is, is an unprecedented move and it shows how weak the Russian military is,” he added.
The Wagner Group has taken on semi-official military responsibilities since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but in recent months Yevgeny Prigozhin has turned against Putin and blamed Russia’s armed forces for losses on the battlefield.
“It is a gigantic experiment that (Putin) started by invading Ukraine, and now things are developing in a very bad direction for him,” Goncharenko said.
In an address early on Saturday, Putin made comparisons to how World War I led to revolution and civil war inside Russia in 1917.
“Putin is absolutely right to draw comparisons,” Roman Goncharenko said. “This is where Russia is heading now, but we are not there yet.”
Russia fighting for ‘its future,’ says Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has responded to the Wagner Group’s rebellion, telling the nation it was facing its “toughest battle for its future.”
In an address to the country, Putin described Yevgeny Prigozhin’s actions — in calling for an uprising against the Kremlin — an “armed mutiny” and told the rebels they will face “inevitable punishment.”
Putin did admit the situation in Rostov-on-Don was “difficult” following Wagner claims it had seized control of the airport and army headquarters in the city near the Ukrainian border.
“There will be decisive measures taken on stabilizing the situation in Rostov-on-Don,” Putin told the nation.
Poland ‘monitors’ while UK says Russia facing ‘most significant challenge in recent times’
Britain’s defence ministry said in an intelligence update that “the coming hours” may be decisive as “to how this crisis plays out” as Russian security forces face a test of “loyalty” to the Kremlin over the “feud” between Wagner and Moscow’s military.
Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, Poland’s president held “consultations” with the prime minister and defence ministry about “the situation in Russia.”
“The course of events beyond our eastern border is monitored on an ongoing basis,” Andrzej Duda wrote on Twitter.
Russia will ‘guarantee safety’ of Wagner fighters who stop rebelling
The Russian army on Saturday said it would “guarantee the safety” of Wagner mercenaries who stop rebelling against the Russian government and its military.
“We are appealing to the fighters of assault squads of PMC Wagner. You were deceived into (Wagner chief’s Yevgeny) Prigozhin’s criminal venture and participation in an armed rebellion,” the army said in a statement. It called on the fighters to ask for help to return to “places of permanent deployment.”
“We ask you to show reason and get in touch with representatives of Russia’s defence ministry or law enforcement. We guarantee safety for all.”
Moscow declares state of emergency
The city of Moscow the capital’s region has declared a counterterrorism state of emergency against the backdrop of the armed uprising by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.
“In order to prevent possible terrorist attacks in the city and Moscow region, a regime of counterterrorism operations has been established,” Russia’s National Antiterrorism Committee said on Saturday morning.
Armoured vehicles in front of parliament in Moscow
Armoured vehicles have appeared in the centre of Moscow in the wake of the power struggle between Wagner and the Kremlin.
“Security measures have been increased in Moscow, all important objects, such as organs of state power and objects of transport infrastructure, have been put under heightened guard,” the state news agency TASS reported.
Wagner chief claims he’s seized Rostov army HQ and airport
The head of the Wagner mercenary group says his troops have occupied key military objects in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, as Yevgeny Prigozhin ramps up his challenge to the Kremlin.
“Under our control are military objects of Rostov, including the airport,” Prigozhin said in a video released on Saturday morning.
He also claimed to have seized control of the army’s headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, a city with a population of over 1 million near the border with Ukraine.
Prigozhin’s claims, however, could not be independently verified.
Unverified videos show soldiers in Rostov-on-Don
Following claims by Prigozhin that his Wagner forces had crossed from Ukraine into Russia and were on their way to the city of Rostov-on-Don, numerous videos began to appear on social media showing soldiers and tanks moving around inside the city.
Reuters was able to verify that the footage was of the police headquarters building, but could not say when it was taken.
Local news site 161.ru said that their correspondent has seen tanks and armored vehicles in the center of the city.
Rostov is the headquarters of the Russian Southern Military District, a key hub for Russian forces and close to the Ukrainian border.
The footage could not be verified and it was also not possible to determine whether the forces shown were Russian military or Wagner mercenaries.
Russia: Moscow mayor says ‘anti-terror’ measures in place in capital city
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said they were taking “anti-terrorist” measures to secure the Russian capital.
“In connection with the incoming information in Moscow, anti-terrorist measures aimed at strengthening security are being taken,” Sobyanin said on Telegram.
The feud between the Wagner Group and the Russian defence leadership escalated into a confrontation after the mercenary group called on members to support an armed rebellion against the military leadership.
Prigozhin: Russian helicopter that fired on ‘civilian column’ shot down
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner Group, said in his latest audio message that: “A helicopter just now opened fire at a civilian column. It has been shot down by units of [private military company] Wagner.”
Prigozhin’s short message was not independently confirmed by other sources. It was also unclear what he meant by a civilian column.
If true, fighting between Wagner mercenary forces and Russian military troops would mark a serious escalation in the clash between Prigozhin and the Kremlin.
Russia: Putin briefed on situation ‘around the clock’
Russian President Vladimir Putin is receiving regular updates on the situation, the Kremlin said.
“Security services, law enforcement agencies, namely, the defence ministry, the FSB, the Interior Ministry, the National Guard are reporting to the president constantly, around the clock,” Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Putin, was quoted as saying by Russian media outlets.
Putin has not yet made any comments on Prigozhin’s rant against high-level Russian officials and the progress of the war in Ukraine.
White House: Monitoring situation in Russia
US National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said they were “monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments.”
Hodge added that US President Joe Biden had been briefed about the fast-moving situation in Russia.
Prigozhin: Ready to ‘go all the way’ as mercenary forces cross from Ukraine into Russia
Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin said his forces had crossed the border from Ukraine into Russia and that they were ready to go “all the way” in their challenge to the Russian military.
The Wagner chief said his forces had crossed the border into the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and added his men would destroy anyone who stood in their way.
Prigozhin’s claims have not been independently verified, nor has there been any video footage of Wagner troops crossing into Russia.
DW analyst: Russian forces may face off against Wagner troops
DW’s Russia analyst Konstantin Eggert said that “it’s a possibility” that Russian troops may end up facing off against Wagner mercenary forces.
Eggert said that the Kremlin has ordered the mobilization of the special police forces as well as the FSB state security agency.
“There will be forces that will, I think, eventually confront the Wagner group if they decide to go into battle,” he said. “But it still remains to be seen.”
Unverified reports on Telegram said that Prigozhin’s Wagner forces had crossed into Russia from Ukraine without any resistance from Russian border guards.
If Russian President Vladimir Putin does not appear on television soon to address the situation, “it will look really strange, it will look like weakness and I think that it will have a lasting effect on Putin’s regime no matter what the outcome of this particular crisis is,” Eggert said.
Russia: Ukraine taking advantage of spat to ready troops near Bakhmut
The Russian Defence ministry accused Ukrainian troops of taking advantage of the infighting between the Wagner group and the Russian military to prepare its troops for an assault on Bakhmut.
“Taking advantage of Prigozhin’s provocation to disorganize the situation, the Kyiv regime near the Bakhmut front is concentrating units… for offensive actions,” the ministry was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
Russian forces declared control of Bakhmut in May, but Ukrainian forces have made it difficult for Russia to hold on to the city as they shape up a counteroffensive to take back territories.
Russia: Prigozhin could face up to 20 years in prison
The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office said on Telegram that Prigozhin’s actions could see him sentenced to 12 to 20 years behind bars.
The office said Prigozhin was charged under Article 279 of the Russian Criminal Code for organizing an armed insurrection. “His actions will be given a proper legal assessment,” it added.
How has Ukraine reacted?
Ukraine has said it is monitoring the infighting between Prigozhin and the Russian military leadership.
“We are watching,” the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence said.
Russia: Prigozhin’s claims not based in fact
The Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee has criticized claims by Prigozhin regarding the alleged attack on Wagner forces.
“The allegations spread in the name of Yevgeny Prigozhin have no basis in fact. That is why the FSB has initiated criminal proceedings on the basis of these statements for calling for an armed coup,” the committee said.
Prigozhin, the outspoken leader of the Wagner Group, has feuded publicly with Russia’s defence heads for months, accusing them of battlefield failures in the war in Ukraine.
On Friday, the Wagner chief accused Russia’s military forces of striking and killing his mercenary forces.
Russia’s defence ministry has denied the claim.
Russia: FSB urges Wagner troops to ignore Prigozhin’s orders
The Russian Federal Security Service or the FSB has urged Wagner troops to ignore Prigozhin’s calls for resistance and urged them to detain the Wagner leader.
“Prigozhin’s statements and actions are in fact a call to start an armed civil conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation and a stab in the back to Russian servicemen fighting pro-fascist Ukrainian forces,” the FSB said.
Russian commander urges Wagner forces to obey military leadership
A deputy commander of Russia’s war on Ukraine, General Sergei Surovikin, called on Wagner members to not oppose military leadership.
“I urge you to stop,” Surovikin said in a video. “The enemy is waiting for the internal political situation to worsen in our country.”
“Before it is too late, it is necessary and it is needed to obey the will and order of the popularly elected President of the Russian Federation,” Surovikin added.
Putin aware of Prigozhin situation
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed of the situation regarding Prigozhin, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Peskov said “all necessary measures were being taken” after Prigozhin urged Russians to join him in resistance against Russian military leaders.
Prigozhin was a close friend of Putin and was once known as “Putin’s chef.” Although Prigozhin has been critical of the Russian military and its handling of the war in Ukraine, he has refrained from criticizing Putin by name.
Russia launches criminal probe into Wagner chief
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) launched a criminal probe into Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin on Friday, accusing him of attempting a “mutiny.”
Earlier on Friday, Prigozhin accused the Russian military of attacking his forces in Ukraine.
“We were ready to make concessions to the defence ministry, surrender our weapons,” Prigozhin said in an audio message. “Today, seeing that we have not been broken, they conducted missile strikes at our rear camps. A huge number of our fighters, our comrades died.”
Russia has denied it attacked Prigozhin’s forces. Prigozhin has called on volunteers to join him after the alleged Russian attack.
“This is not a military coup. This is a march for justice,” Prigozhin said.
Rejecting Russian allegations, the US claimed that its military base at Tanf in Syria is instead being used as a temporary base to train partner forces to fight the ISIS.
Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, arrives for the opening ceremony of the International Army Games 2017 in Alabino, outside Moscow, Russia, July 29, 2017. Credit: Reuters/Maxim Shemetov
Moscow: The chief of the Russian General Staff has accused the US of training former ISIS fightersin Syria to try to destabilise the country.
General Valery Gerasimov’s allegations, made in a newspaper interview, centre on a US military base at Tanf, a strategic Syrian highway border crossing with Iraq in the south of the country.
Russia says the US base is illegal and that it and the area around it have become “a black hole” where militants operate unhindered.
ISIShas this year lost almost all the territory it held in Syria and Iraq. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that the main part of the battle with ISISin Syria was over, according to the state-run RIA news agency.
The US says the Tanf facility is a temporary base used to train partner forces to fight ISIS. It has rejected similar Russian allegations in the past, saying Washington remains committed to killing off ISISand denying it safe havens.
But Gerasimov told the daily Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper on Wednesday that the US was training up fighters who were former ISISmilitants but who now call themselves the New Syrian army or use other names.
He said Russia satellites and drones had spotted militant brigades at the US base.
“They are in reality being trained there,” Gerasimov said, saying there were also a large number of militants and former ISISfighters at Shadadi, where he said there was also a US base.
“They are practically ISIS,” he said. “But after they are worked with, they change their spots and take on another name. Their task is to destabilise the situation.”
Russia has partially withdrawn from Syria, but Gerasimov said the fact that Moscow was keeping an air base and naval facility there meant it was well placed to deal with pockets of instability if and when they arose.
