Prigozhin asks prosecutors to investigate 'crimes' by top Russian defence officials

Russia's most powerful mercenary, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said on Wednesday that he had asked prosecutors to investigate "crimes" committed by senior Russian defence officials before and during Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. "Today I have sent letters to the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation with a request to check on the fact of the commission of a crime during the preparation and during the conduct of the SMO (Special Military Operation) by a host of senior functionaries of the Defence Ministry," Prigozhin said.

Russia's most powerful mercenary, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said on Wednesday that he had asked prosecutors to investigate "crimes" committed by senior Russian defence officials before and during Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine.

"Today I have sent letters to the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation with a request to check on the fact of the commission of a crime during the preparation and during the conduct of the SMO (Special Military Operation) by a host of senior functionaries of the Defence Ministry," Prigozhin said. "These letters will not be published due to the fact that the investigative authorities will deal with this."

The defence ministry declined immediate comment. Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group, has repeatedly accused Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and other top officials of sabotaging Russia's war effort.