The briefing said some Russian forces had "likely remained passive, acquiescing to Wagner". We must end this debacle," he said, in a radical escalation of a longstanding feud with Russia's military leaders. "Only the president has the right to appoint the top leadership of the armed forces, and you are trying to encroach on his authority. There is no need to do this now, because there is no greater damage to the image of Russia and to its armed forces," he added. Russia's Ministry of Defense appealed to Wagner forces on Saturday to "safely return to their points of permanent deployment."

Source: CNN June 24, 2023 16:58 UTC