The group's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is leading what he calls a "march for justice" to oust Russia's military leadership. The mercenary group's forces seized control of Russian military facilities in Rostov-on-Don, a city of more than a million people near the border with Ukraine. The seizure is significant as Rostov is home to the Russian military headquarters overseeing the military supply line fueling Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
Further Wagner troops are reported to be moving through Vorenezh Oblast, a city about 300 miles north of Rostov-on-Don. An intelligence update from the U.K. Ministry of Defense indicated Wagner units are "almost certainly aiming to get to Moscow." Reuters separately reported that Wagner fighters have seized military facilities in the city of Voronezh, and the governor there has said operations are underway to put down the mutiny.
MUST WATCH NY DEPUTY COMMISSIONER: "SOMEBODY IS RADICALIZING OUR STUDENTS"
A Wagner convoy with armed vehicles was also seen traveling north on the M4 motorway, which links Voronezh and Moscow in the Lipetsk region. The regional governor, Igor Artamonov, said Wagner is moving "equipment" in the region and has asked residents to stay home and avoid traveling. Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to put down the rebellion. In a televised address Saturday morning, Putin said the mutiny amounted to "a deadly threat to our statehood," vowing there will be "tough actions" in response.
WATCH: FLORIDA TO ELIMINATE WOKE TRAINING INDOCTRINATION
June 24, 2023
Prigozhin, a longtime Putin ally, rejected the Russian president's accusations of treason and claimed his forces were fighting "corruption, deceit and bureaucracy" in the Russian military. Wagner forces have served as a virtual private army for Putin and have provided critical support to Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. The paramilitary group includes thousands of former prisoners who were recruited from Russian jails. However, Prigozhin has feuded with the defense ministry, accusing Russian military officials of starving his troops of weapons and ammunition.
ISRAEL PUSHES AHEAD WITH RAFAH OPERATION, INITIATES EVACUATION OF PALESTINIANS
In a series of angry video and audio recordings on Friday, Prigozhin accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering a rocket strike on the private military contractor's field camps where the group is fighting on behalf of Russia in Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry denied the accusation. "This is not a military coup, but a march of justice," Prigozhin declared. "The evil embodied by the country’s military leadership must be stopped." Russia's FSB security service opened a criminal case against Prigozhin for armed mutiny and said his statements were "calls for the start of an armed civil conflict on Russian territory."
WATCH: BOY SCOUT VOLUNTEER SENTENCED FOR HIDDEN BATHROOM CAMERAS
June 24, 2023
Putin remains working at his desk in Moscow, according to Russian leader Dmitry Peskov's press secretary. "The President works in the Kremlin," Peskov told the Russian news outlet RIA Novosti. Earlier, several Telegram channels claimed that Putin had left Moscow for one of his residences in another region.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
