German Intelligence Monitored Prigozhin and Lukashenko's Talks

The Federal Intelligence Service of Germany (Bundesnachrichtendienst, BND) has listened to conversations between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the Wagner private military company, during the recent coup attempt in Russia. This was reported by members of the ARD media group, comprising German broadcasters Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) and Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), following a journalistic investigation.

According to the journalists, the German federal intelligence service is better informed about the coup attempt in Russia than was previously assumed. "According to the investigation by WDR and NDR, it was necessary to monitor the negotiations between Wagner leader Prigozhin and Lukashenko," the publications state.

On the evening of June 23, Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin announced that the Russian Defense Ministry's forces had allegedly attacked the rear camps of his private military company, and his fighters were moving towards Russia on a "march for justice." The Defense Ministry denied his accusations, and the Prosecutor General's Office initiated a case against Prigozhin for organizing an armed rebellion.

On the morning of June 24, Wagner PMC forces blocked administrative buildings in Rostov-on-Don and began moving towards Moscow. President Vladimir Putin called on them, labeling the actions of the PMC leader as a "knife in the back," and warned Prigozhin and his subordinates about the consequences. He received support from the State Duma, the Federation Council, and several regional leaders, while Chechen "Akhmat" forces were sent to Rostov.

In the evening, the press service of the Belarusian President reported on the negotiations between Alexander Lukashenko and Prigozhin, resulting in the parties agreeing on an acceptable option for stabilizing the situation with guarantees for the safety of the company's fighters. Prigozhin, accused of rebellion, stated that he had decided to turn his columns around and return to field camps.