Video question to the governor of Belgorod: Russian anti-Putin partisans offer prisoners to talk

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Flashpoint Belgorod: Anti-Putin partisans cause a stir with a video message to Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Russian border region. In the video released Sunday, fighters from the Russian Volunteer Corps (RFK) and the Freedom of Russia Legion (LFR) called on Gladkov to meet. They want to talk “about the fate of Russia” in the village of Novaya Tavolshanka, near the border.

Also featured in the video: two Russian prisoners. One stands among the partisans, another lies on a hospital bed – hooked up to an IV and wrapped in a rescue blanket.

In return, these soldiers will be handed over to the governor, promises Russian right-wing extremist and RFK commander Denis Kapustin: «I offer you to exchange these two prisoners for a few minutes of conversation with you. In a monastery, without weapons and without soldiers.”

Prigozhin intervenes

The offer, Kapustin points out, is a sign of goodwill. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrated Pentecost Sunday. One topic in the proposed conversation: the “unnecessary, bloody war that has been going on for a year and a half and has now also reached Russian territory”.

For the past two weeks, pro-Ukrainian far-right fighters and armed militias have been attacking the Belgorod region. Several people were killed in the attacks. Dozens of buildings have been damaged.

However, the first reaction to the video message did not come from Governor Gladkov, but from Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of the Wagner mercenary group. In a voice message, he addressed Kapustin directly: “Denis, if no one comes to the designated place to collect the prisoners, I am ready to send one of my high-ranking deputies to collect them.”

Then Prigozhin goes one step further: “When Volodymyr Zelensky comes, I am ready to appear in person.”

Gladkow’s counterproposal

Gladkov later spoke on Telegram. He saw the video message from the “bastards, bastards, murderers and fascists”. “Our boys are in their hands.” Gladkov believes that the partisans have already killed the prisoners. But if they are still alive, he agrees to meet. However, Gladkov suggests another meeting place: the border crossing in Schebekino. “I guarantee safety,” the governor assures.

Apparently the meeting never took place. On Sunday evening, the RFK published another video. Kapustin: «I just came back from Novaya Tavolshanka. As expected, Mr. Gladkow didn’t feel the need and didn’t have the courage to trade his precious time for the life and freedom of what he used to call ‘our boys.’

The two prisoners from the first video can be seen in the video. In addition, Kapustin is surrounded by several other men. Some of them are also prisoners, the RFK commander assures.

Extradit prisoners to Ukraine

LFR representative Maximilian Andronnikov also says in the video: “These Russian men did not take up arms of their own free will. Soon they will understand the shame and injustice of the war Putin started.”

Kapustin then talks about Prigozhin’s offer: “Unlike Gladkov, Yevgeny Prigozhin had the courage and would have been willing to accept our terms. You, Herr Gladkow, will not set us any more terms!” Therefore, the fate of the prisoners is now sealed: “These men will be handed over to the Ukrainian side for the prisoner exchange process.”

Source: Blick