The son of Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov fought in the ranks of Wagner’s forces in Ukraine, according to the founder of the Russian mercenary company Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Peskov, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, contacted him to discuss his son’s recruitment, Prigozhin said on Saturday. Wagner’s chief said he advised Peskov not to send his son to the Russian armed forces – which he has repeatedly criticized for poor equipment, inadequate training and poor leadership from the top echelons.

Nikolai Peskov – who lived for a long time in Britain and is also known as Nikolai Choles – told Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda that he served because he saw it as his duty. The newspaper, which publishes a photo of the 33-year-old in military uniform, says that Nikolai Peskov was decorated.

Some, however, question the news, underlining that there is no evidence of his participation in military operations in Ukraine.

Prigozhin said Peskov’s son served under an alias in an artillery unit in Luhansk province after three weeks of training. He even praised his services, calling them “exemplary”.

For the most part, the offspring of the Russian elite avoid deployment on the battlefield, Prigozhin said. “They are being hidden by their parents,” complained the 61-year-old head of Wagner. Sons of celebrities enroll in universities, getting a deferral of conscription, when children of workers die in war, he added.

Prigozhin did not provide any evidence that his son Dmitry Peskov fought in Ukraine. Like the Kremlin spokesman, Nikolai Peskov is subject to sanctions imposed by the West after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

So far there has been no reaction from Dmitry Peskov, who does not shy away from public statements on various issues, although the news is broadcast on state media. According to Prigozhin, Peskov had initially tried to persuade his son when he learned he wanted to fight in Ukraine.

Nikolai Peskov’s deployment to the Ukraine was made in the utmost secrecy, and even his fellow fighters at Wagner did not know his true identity. “Only I and the head of the recruiting service knew about it,” Prigozhin said. “He showed courage and heroism, like everyone else,” he emphasized about the 33-year-old.

Wagner’s head reported that the Kremlin representative’s son is currently on leave after six months of service.