Mercenary Chief Prigozhin and Wagner Group Spark Rebellion in Russia

Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the Kremlin-allied Wagner Group, has called for an armed uprising to oust the defense minister, escalating months of scathing criticism of Russia's conduct of the war. Prigozhin, a onetime felon and longtime associate of Putin, urged Russians to join his "march to justice." Prigozhin's mercenaries have become a major force in the war in Ukraine, fighting as counterparts to the Russian army in battles with Ukrainian forces. Western countries and United Nations experts have accused Wagner Group mercenaries of committing numerous human rights abuses throughout Africa.