Billboards of Wagner paramilitary group being taken down in Russian capital: Reports

June 24, 2023

- Tensions between Kremlin, Wagner escalated after head of paramilitary group accused Russian forces of attacking its fighters

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Billboards of the Wagner paramilitary group are being taken down in the Russian capital Moscow, according to media reports.

Videos have surfaced on social media of city workers taking down billboards promoting the Wagner Group.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin of "treason" after fighters in Russian-controlled Ukraine crossed into the Russian city of Rostov early Saturday.

Tensions between Moscow and the paramilitary group rose after Prigozhin accused Russian forces of attacking his mercenaries.

Russia denied those claims late Friday and issued arrest orders for Prigozhin.

Prigozhin has, in recent months, repeatedly accused Russia of not supplying sufficient arms to the paramilitary group which has been fighting alongside the Russian army in Ukraine.