Wagner boss Prigozhin called off his coup after Putin’s thugs threatened mercnaries’ families, UK security sources believe – as Kremlin insists ‘no mutineers will face charges’
- Members would be offered contracts with regular Russian forces, it was claimed
- Family members of Wagner’s chiefs also ‘threatened by Russia’s secret service’
The chiefs of mercenary group Wagner faced threats to their families from Russia’s secret service before leader Yevgeny Prigozhin halted his march on the capital, according to UK intelligence officials.
The group was also estimated to have been equipped with just 8,500 fighters rather than the 25,000 men previously claimed and faced an almost certain defeat in their offensive on Moscow.
It is understood Putin will now seek to absorb Wagner’s soldiers – who are thought to have superior skills and…