We reported earlier on what appears to be a coup or an effort to oust the military leadership underway in Russia by Wagner Group private military company (PMC) chieftain Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Prigozhin accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov of deliberately sabotaging the Russian war effort, and so he says he’s acting to hold them responsible “for the genocide of the Russian people.”
“PMC Wagner Commanders’ Council made a decision: the evil brought by the military leadership of the country must be stopped…I’m asking: no one resist. Everyone who will try to resist, we will consider them a danger and destroy them immediately, including any checkpoints on our way. And any aviation that we see above our heads. I’m asking everyone to remain calm, do not succumb to provocations, and remain in their houses. Ideally, those along our way, do not go outside. After we finished what we started, we will return to the frontline to protect our motherland. Presidential authority, Government, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rosgvardia, and other departments will continue operating as before. We will deal with those who destroy Russian soldiers. And we will return to the frontline. Justice in the Army will be restored. And after this, justice for the whole of Russia.”
Now there are reports of the Wagner group in Rostov. According to Prigozhin, they entered the city without resistance.
MOSCOW (AP) — Wagner owner Prigozhin says his forces in Ukraine have driven into the Russian city of Rostov facing no resistance.
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) June 23, 2023
They also said that Russian media TASS had confirmed they were Wagner group forces. There are videos of them outside the Russian Southern Military District headquarters.
⚡️Russian independent TV station Dozhd (Rain) publishes videos of armed men on streets of Rostov
Dozhd published two videos of unidentified armed men lying on the ground outside of the Southern Military District headquarters in the Russian city of Rostov on June 24. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/cqJOGtgKtf
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) June 24, 2023
The videos come as unconfirmed media reports emerge that Wagner troops have entered the city and are surrounding and seizing administrative buildings.
The news outlet said the videos were provided by a reader. (2/2)
Videos: TV Dozhd (Rain) pic.twitter.com/0Dmoi6Fk65
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) June 24, 2023
They are allegedly surrounding and seizing administrative buildings in the city. Prigozhin says that he had to take action to make sure that Russian airstrikes hit Ukrainians and not Wagner Group units:
🚨 Prigozhin issued his first public address from the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don, a city with a population of 1.1 million, which Wagner PMC now fully control.
English subtitles. pic.twitter.com/SDg4astcaY— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) June 24, 2023
According to The Kyiv Independent, the Governor asked residents to stay calm. Rostov Oblast Governor Vasily Golubev asked residents to remain at home as reports emerged of soldiers and military vehicles on the streets of the city of Rostov.
⚡️Governor asks residents to stay calm as media reports administrative buildings seized in city of Rostov
Rostov Oblast Governor Vasily Golubev asked residents to remain at home as reports emerged of soldiers and military vehicles on the streets of the city of Rostov. (1/3)
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) June 24, 2023
Russian independent media outlet Rain also published a video on Telegram of men with machine guns lying on the street outside the Southern Military District headquarters in Rostov.
Russian state-controlled news outlet TASS reported that the men were Wagner Group fighters. (3/3)
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) June 24, 2023
A somewhat surreal sight in Rostov as street cleaners continue on their Saturday morning duties. pic.twitter.com/13V289zWdT
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 24, 2023
This is reportedly Prigozhin outside the Southern Military District Headquarters.
#Prigozhin: “We came here. We want to get the Chief of the General Staff and Shoigu. Until they are gone, we stay here, blockade the city of #Rostov and go to #Moscow.” https://t.co/XIXZFbLQvi
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 24, 2023
#UPDATE Russian authorities in Rostov have urged residents to stay home after the chief of Wagner group said his forces had entered the southern border region
Meanwhile, the governor of Lipetsk said authorities had decided to “reinforce security measures” there
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 24, 2023
Lipetsk is north of Voronezh, further along to Moscow.
— Dr. Nickarama (@nickaramaOG) June 24, 2023
There are also now unconfirmed reports from multiple sources that there’s fighting nearing Voronezh.
Heavy smoke is visible rising over the northern Wagner push along the M4 highway in Pavlovsk, Voronezh Oblast. pic.twitter.com/K0Y8Ql1zd3
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 24, 2023
The sounds of shooting can already heard in the area of the highway in the #Voronezh region. pic.twitter.com/0vBbuyZxN4
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 24, 2023
Voronezh is halfway to Moscow from Rostov. If they’re already there, they’re already a considerable way to Moscow.
The Wagner group is saying they’re willing to die in the effort.
#BREAKING Anti-Kremlin figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky urges Russians to support Wagner chief
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 24, 2023
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