Russia has initiated a criminal investigation against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of private military contractor Wagner, on charges of inciting armed rebellion against the Russian military leadership. If convicted, Prigozhin could face up to 20 years in jail. The investigation was launched after Prigozhin vowed to retaliate against Russia’s military leadership, alleging that they had killed around 2,000 of his troops in an airstrike. Additionally, Prigozhin claimed that his 25,000-strong militia was advancing towards Moscow to overthrow the leadership of the Russian defense ministry. He further accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering the rocket strike on Wagner’s field camps in Ukraine. However, the Russian defense ministry categorically denied involvement in the attack and labeled Prigozhin’s accusations as untrue and provocative. The Federal Security Services (FSB) has also opened a criminal investigation against Prigozhin for calling for armed rebellion. The FSB called on Wagner’s soldiers to disregard Prigozhin’s orders and arrest him, stating that his actions constituted a call for armed conflict within Russia. Prigozhin, who was once an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been openly criticizing Defense Minister Shoigu and Russia’s top general, Valery Gerasimov, in recent months, accusing them of incompetence. Prigozhin declared that his forces had crossed the border from Ukraine and were now in the city of Rostov-on-Don, vowing to eliminate anyone who obstructs their progress. Meanwhile, security has been tightened in Moscow, and checkpoints have been established in Rostov-on-Don. The situation is being closely monitored by Russian security agencies, and necessary measures are being taken. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence is also closely observing the developments.