Girkin was arrested because of a threat to kill Shoigu

According to Vyacheslav Maltsev, Igor Strelkov-Girkin is "jealous of the success" of the founder of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who failed to overthrow the Russian Defense Minister.

Russian opposition politician Vyacheslav Maltsev claims that terrorist and former leader of Donetsk separatists Igor Strelkov-Girkin was arrested in Russia because of a threat to kill Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. He said this in an interview with Channel 24 on July 21.

Maltsev said that "extremism" is only a pretext for Girkin's detention, and the real reason is quite different. The politician emphasized that he had repeatedly mentioned this reason on Ukrainian television during the week.

"I said that the Kvachkov group, Strelkov, and others would destroy Shoigu," Maltsev said.

The oppositionist also added that the removal of the current head of the Russian Defense Ministry is "unacceptable" for him, as he would like to meet him "on the battlefield when there is a civil war."

According to Vyacheslav Maltsev, Girkin may not have been preparing a direct assassination attempt on Shoigu, but such talks, in the politician's opinion, were taking place in his circle. The politician believes that the terrorist's associates said that they were ready and that some "preparatory measures" should be taken.

"I knew that he would be killed for sure. And of course someone from the Girkin, Klochkov, and other circles. First of all, Girkin is very jealous of Prigozhin's success, and Prigozhin failed to overthrow Shoigu, so for Girkin, the number one goal is, of course, Shoigu," Vyacheslav Maltsev said.

At the same time, the Russian oppositionist does not believe that if such an operation were successful, Girkin would have claimed the post of Russian Defense Minister.

"There is only one goal - to carry out an action that would put them in the analog of some "patriots," Maltsev concluded.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 22/07/2023