Russia drops charges against Wagner Group chief and others, Putin praises military for averting civil war

Russian authorities said Tuesday that a criminal investigation into the armed insurgency launched by Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been closed. Now there is no allegation against him or anyone else. Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the military and law-enforcement for averting a civil war.

Found on investigation

The Federal Security Service (FSB) said its investigation found that those involved in the uprising had ceased activities intended to commit crimes. Over the weekend, the Kremlin promised not to prosecute Prigozhin and his fighters after the uprising was halted on Saturday.

Effectively stopped civil war: Putin

Speaking to soldiers and law enforcement officers in the Kremlin, President Putin praised their actions during the Wagner Group uprising. He further added, “You effectively stopped the civil war.”

Army and people did not support the rebellion: Putin

Putin said that the army and the people did not support the uprising, but refrained from naming Prigozhin. He stressed that Russian troops have not been withdrawn from the front line in Ukraine to deal with the insurgency.