Putin: Wagner PMC was fully funded by the state

Putin: Wagner PMC was fully funded by the state

The state financed Wagner PMC, which received over 86 billion rubles in a year

Vladimir Putin met with military personnel from the Ministry of Defense in the Kremlin and discussed the consequences of the armed uprising and the details of the counteroffensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The president's key statements are covered in the material by RIA Novosti.

On the sources of income for Wagner PMC "The entire Wagner group was fully funded by the state—from the Ministry of Defense, from the state budget, we fully financed this group."

In the past year, the authorities paid Wagner PMC over 86 billion rubles. The owner of the "Concord" company earned an additional 80 billion through "Voentorg" by supplying products and providing catering services to the army.

"I hope that during these activities, no one stole anything or, let's put it this way, stole less. But undoubtedly, we will investigate all of this."

Kyiv continues to suffer losses The president announced that, according to updated information, since the beginning of the "so-called counteroffensive," the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost 259 tanks and 78 armored vehicles. The highest losses for the Ukrainian forces are in the Orehovsk direction, which is considered the main one in Kyiv's assessment.

"In just the past seven days, the enemy has lost 280 units of equipment, including 41 tanks and 102 armored vehicles. This is largely due to your work and that of your comrades in battle. And for this, of course, I express separate words of gratitude."

The role of the Ministry of Defense in suppressing the uprising Speaking about the recent attempt of an armed uprising, the president noted that chaos and civil war always follow such events.

"This is what you prevented. This is where your role was. And for that, as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, I want to express my gratitude to you."

Putin emphasized that the military prevented clashes in the country that the enemy would have taken advantage of.

"It is unknown what would have happened to the country in the end, but all the achievements that were made during the military operations, many of them at least, would have been lost. And you did not allow that."

The president instructed the Minister of Defense, Sergey Shoigu, to present the military personnel with awards for their merits.

"Without any doubt, as I have already told the minister, everything will be done to support the families of our fallen comrades."

Attempted armed uprising On June 23, the Wagner PMC forces seized the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don. This happened against the backdrop of statements by Yevgeny Prigozhin that the army allegedly carried out missile and bomb strikes on the rear camps of the private military company. His words were refuted by the Ministry of Defense and the Federal Security Service. The Investigative Directorate of the FSB opened a criminal case against Prigozhin for organizing an armed uprising.

Vladimir Putin called the actions of the insurgents a criminal adventure, a blow to the entire country's back and betrayal, resulting from excessive ambitions and personal interests.

Later, it became known that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, with Putin's approval, held negotiations with Prigozhin on Saturday, reaching an agreement to halt the movement of Wagner columns on Russian territory and to take further steps to de-escalate the situation.

Peskov clarified that Prigozhin would be able to go to Belarus. The day before, Putin confirmed that Wagner PMC fighters would be able to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense, return home, or go to Belarus. Today it became known that the FSB closed the criminal case.