A video purporting to show Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin welcoming his Wagner fighters to Belarus surfaced on Wednesday on one of his official Telegram channels.
In the video, the authenticity of which Reuters was unable to immediately verify, a man whose voice sounded like Prigozhin's is heard welcoming his men, telling them to behave, and saying their training will make the Belarusian army the second best in the world.
The video was shot after night had fallen, and it was only possible to discern what looked like Prigozhin's profile.
He is heard saying that his men will stay in Belarus for some time and calling what is happening on the front line in Ukraine a "disgrace" that Wagner should not take part in.
© 2026 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.