Wagner Group rebellion facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wagner Group rebellion
Part of the Wagner Group–MoD conflict during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Map of the Wagner Group's advances into Rostov-on-Don and towards Moscow after emerging from Russian-occupied Ukraine
Date 23–24 June 2023 (2023-06-23 – 2023-06-24) (1 day) Location Russia Result Wagner mercenaries halt advance after ~23 hours and begin withdrawing at 11:00 p.m. local time (see: § Resolution)
Belligerents
PMC Wagner	Russia  Ministry of Defense  Armed Forces  FSB  National Guard  Kadyrovites
Commanders and leaders
Yevgeny Prigozhin	Vladimir Putin  Sergei Shoigu  Valery Gerasimov Alexander Bortnikov  Viktor Zolotov  Ramzan Kadyrov
Strength
8,000–25,000	Unknown
Casualties and losses
2 killed Several wounded 5 vehicles destroyed	13–29 killed 1–6 helicopter(s) shot down 1 Il-22M airborne command-center plane shot down 2 vehicles captured

On June 23, 2023, the Wagner Group, a private military company from Russia, started a big uprising against the Russian government. This event was the peak of a conflict between the Wagner Group and Russia's Ministry of Defense, which had been going on for about six months. Yevgeny Prigozhin, a wealthy Russian businessman who led the Wagner Group, stopped the rebellion a day later after an agreement was made.

What Happened?

This event, sometimes called the "Wagner rebellion," was a short but serious challenge to the Russian government. It involved armed fighters from the Wagner Group. They moved quickly into Russia from Ukraine.

Why Did It Start?

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, had been openly unhappy with Russia's top military leaders. He often blamed Sergei Shoigu, the Minister of Defense, and Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff, for problems in the war in Ukraine.

Prigozhin claimed that the Russian military had attacked his fighters, killing many of them. The Russian government said this was not true. Prigozhin called his actions a "march of justice." He demanded that Shoigu and Gerasimov be removed from their jobs.

The March to Moscow

In the early morning of June 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on TV. He called the Wagner Group's actions a betrayal. Putin promised to stop their uprising.

Rostov-on-Don Taken

Wagner fighters first took control of Rostov-on-Don. This city is home to a major military headquarters in southern Russia. At the same time, a column of their armored vehicles moved through Voronezh Oblast. They were heading towards Moscow, the capital city.

Putin's Response

Russia quickly set up defenses on the roads leading to Moscow. They prepared to stop the Wagner Group's advance.

How It Ended

Before the Wagner Group could reach Moscow, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, stepped in. He helped to arrange a deal with Prigozhin.

The Agreement

Prigozhin agreed to stop the rebellion. In the late evening of June 24, Wagner troops turned back from their march to Moscow. The fighters who were still in Rostov-on-Don also began to leave.

What Happened Next?

As part of the agreement, the Russian security service, which had started an investigation against the Wagner Group for rebellion, stopped all legal actions against Prigozhin and his fighters on June 27.

During the short conflict, at least 13 Russian soldiers were killed. Several Wagner fighters were also injured. Prigozhin said that two people who had left the Russian military and joined Wagner were also killed.

Prigozhin's Death

Exactly two months after the rebellion, on August 23, 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed. He died in a plane crash along with other senior Wagner officials.