On June 23, 2023, one of the most extraordinary episodes in wartime Russia began β the mutiny of Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner private military company. It grew out of a protracted feud between Prigozhin and Sergei Shoigu, then the defense minister. The Wagner leader accused Shoigu of inadequately supplying the front, where Wagnerβs fighters were bearing the brunt of the combat.