Mr. Prigogine, "Wagner," staying at a base in Belarus?

A video believed to show Evgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Russian hired soldier organization Wagner, in Belarus was posted on the Wagner-related channel of the messaging app Telegram on June 19.

This is believed to be the first time that footage of Mr. Prigozhin has appeared since Wagner's uprising in Russia at the end of June.

In the video, Prigozhin welcomes the fighters and says that the situation on the front lines in Ukraine is "disgraceful." He also indicated that Wagner may rejoin the fighting at a later date.

Belarus claims that Wagner fighters are providing military guidance to Belarusian forces, and this video seems to confirm that.

In the dimly lit video, Prigozhin stands on an asphalt road surrounded by trees and what appear to be warehouses and tents.

The BBC Verify (verification team) is convinced that this is the western edge of the military base, based on the placement of the tents, trees, and buildings.

Behind us, there are many people in camouflage uniforms, and we can hear them cheering.

Although dimly lit, Mr. Prigogine's figure can be discerned from his silhouette. Russian speakers familiar with his past statements have also pointed out that the voice and the way he speaks are definitely Prigozhin's.

In the video, Prigozhin said that the fighters "fought well" in Ukraine and "did great things" for Russia. At the same time, he strongly criticized the current command.

What is happening on the front lines right now is disgraceful, something we don't want to be a part of," he said. We need to wait until we can fully demonstrate our capabilities."

He also said that "it has been decided that we will stay here in Belarus for a while," during which time Wagner will make the Belarusian army "the second largest army in the world."

Prigozhin further suggested that the fighters could "continue their preparations" and return to the front lines in Ukraine "when they are sure that they will not be forced to be ashamed of themselves and their experience."

Prigozhin had previously claimed that the Russian Defense Ministry had restricted the supply of bullets to Wagner during the engagement in Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, preventing the organization's success. This statement is believed to refer to that time.