Peskov often acts as a press spokesman for President Vladimir Putin and is said to have called Prigozhin personally to talk about his son’s war service.

Wagner’s boss says he advised Peskov not to allow his son to serve in the regular forces. Prigozhin repeatedly criticized the Russian army for poor equipment, poor leadership, and insufficient efforts on the battlefield.

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Prigozhin also said that children of members of Russia’s elite are evading military service by their parents, who hide them away. The children of leading politicians are sent to universities where they are exempt from military service, while the children of workers die in the war, according to Prigozhin.

Wagner’s chief did not provide any documents on his representation of the contact with Peskov. The press spokesperson, who is quick to respond to the unrest, did not comment on the remarks, which were re-published by several state media outlets over the weekend.

Peskov’s son, Nikolai Peskov, lived for many years in Great Britain under the name Nikolai Choles. He told the KP newspaper in Moscow that he served in the Luhansk region out of a sense of duty.

The newspaper showed a picture of the 33-year-old, who was wearing a full military uniform. Critics question the story, saying that this does not prove that he actually participated in the war.

Prigozhin says Peskov’s son served as an artilleryman in the Luhansk region under an assumed name after three weeks of training. Wagner’s commanders praise his military efforts as exemplary.