Nikolai Peskov made the claims in a series of social media posts, which have since been deleted. In his posts, Peskov claimed that he had been a part of a Wagner Group team that was sent to Ukraine to "support the Russian-speaking population" during the conflict in 2014. He also claimed to have been wounded during the fighting.
“„I considered it my duty… I couldn’t sit on the sidelines and watch friends and other people go there.- Nikolai Peskov
“„When I went there, I had to change my last name. Nobody really knew who I was.- Nikolai Peskov
The claims have been met with skepticism and controversy, given Peskov's father's high-ranking position in the Kremlin. The Russian government has been known to deny the presence of its military forces and PMCs in Ukraine, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
The Wagner Group, which is believed to have been founded by a former Russian military intelligence officer, has been linked to several incidents in Ukraine.
The group has been accused of being involved in the annexation of Crimea, the fighting in Donbass, and the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.
The group's involvement in Ukraine has also been the subject of international scrutiny and sanctions. The United States, the European Union, and several other countries have imposed sanctions on the Wagner Group and its members for their role in the conflict.
The interview with Nikolai Peskov comes after the Wagner head, Yevgeny Prigozhin, revealed on Friday that the Kremlin spokesperson's son had served as a gunner in his mercenary squad. Prigozhin did not define the time period in question.
According to Prigozhin, Nikolai Peskov worked as a loader of an ammunition delivery vehicle in PMC Wagner for six months under fraudulent paperwork with a different last name.
According to the Wagner commander, Peskov received a three-week training at their camp in Molkino and then "departed for Luhansk."
Peskov's claims have raised questions about the Kremlin's involvement in the conflict in Ukraine and the extent of the Wagner Group's activities. The claims also come amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with fears of a potential invasion by Russian forces.
The Russian government has not officially commented on Peskov's claims, and it remains to be seen whether they will acknowledge or deny them.
However, the claims have further fueled speculation about Russia's role in the conflict in Ukraine and its support for PMCs like the Wagner Group.
The claims made by Nikolai Peskov have brought renewed attention to the role of the Wagner Group and Russia's involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
The controversy surrounding the claims highlights the ongoing debate over the use of PMCs and the need for greater transparency and accountability in their operations.
The situation also underscores the importance of continued international efforts to address the conflict in Ukraine and promote peace and stability in the region.