Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says his son fought in Ukraine
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskovfigure of the Russian political elite, confirmed that his son, Nikolai, had participated in the offensive in Ukraine, a few months after being accused of wanting to avoid being sent to the front. “He made this decision, he is an adult. Yes, indeed, he took part in the “special military operation”” in Ukraine, Dmitry Peskov told reporters, declining to give further details.
On Saturday, the leader of the paramilitary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhinclaimed that 33-year-old Nikolai Peskov had served “with courage and heroism” for six months in eastern Ukraine, in secret, under another identity, as serving as a Hurricane multiple rocket launcher of Wagner’s forces. “Of course, for the people, this is an unusual situation, because everyone is used to the fact that the children of the elite are hidden by their parents”, commented Mr. Prigojine, in a message published by his press service. He claimed to have advised Nikolai Peskov not to serve in the Russian regular army, so as not to risk being put in the rear in a headquarters or being sent to a ” meat grinder “ in the first line.
After these statements by Mr. Prigojine, the daily Komsomolskaya Pravda published an interview with Nikolaï Peskov where the latter declares having chosen to fight in order to accomplish ” his duty “ and to have received a medal for his feats of arms. Six months ago, Nikolaï Peskov was accused on the contrary of wanting to evade enlistment in the army after his remarks during a telephone prank.
At the end of September, after the announcement in Russia of a military mobilization ” partial “a blogger supporting imprisoned opponent Alexei Navalny called Nikolai Peskov live, posing as a Russian army recruiter. “You must understand, if you know that I am Mr. Peskov, that it is not entirely correct that I am there”affirmed Nikolai Peskov, implying that he would not allow himself to be enlisted. “I have no problem defending the homeland. But first I have to understand what is doable for me”he pleaded.
Opponents, but also activists supporting the attack in Ukraine, regularly accuse members of the Russian political elite of taking advantage of privileges to prevent their relatives from being sent to the front.