Indus Valley Times

NEW DELHI,24/6: The powerful mercenary group Wagner’s insurrection has plunged Russia into crisis. The head of the Wagner paramilitary group said his troops had taken control of military facilities in two Russian cities.

Rebellious Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that he has taken control of Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh as part of an attempt to topple the top military leaders. Russia has called this an “armed mutiny” and ordered his arrest.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that those on the “path of treason” or armed rebellion will be “punished”.

Putin vowed a harsh response and punishment of those involved in armed rebellion. “Any actions that fracture our unity” are “a stab in the back of our country and our people,” he said.

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The president described events in Rostov as an insurrection and called for unity in the forces.

The long-running standoff between Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and the military top brass over the war in Ukraine is now out in the open.

After Kremlin accused the Wagner group of armed mutiny, Wagner fighters had crossed the border into Russia from Ukraine and were prepared to go “all the way” against Moscow’s military, Reuters reported.

The Wagner Group is a private army of mercenaries that has been fighting alongside the regular Russian army in Ukraine. Prigozhin, a one-time Putin ally, in recent months, has carried out an increasingly bitter feud with Moscow.

Here are the top developments in the story

Wagner, a mercenary group, has issued a statement claiming that Russia would soon have a new President. The assertion by the rebellious group came after President Putin vowed a harsh retaliation and punishment of those involved in the rebellion.

The armed group also claimed that Civil War in Russia had “officially” started.

The Wagner forces have taken control of the Southern Military District building in Rostov, according to state media reports, prompting security to be tightened across Moscow.

The security forces in Moscow are on high alert and security has been beefed up in government buildings, transport facilities and other key locations in Moscow.

The Wagnerites have also seized the buildings of the head office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB department, the administration of Rostov and one of the police departments, according to local channels, according to Nexta.

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.

“Due to the current situation, please refrain from traveling to the city center and, if possible, don’t leave your homes,” Rostov region governor said in an advisory.

Russia’s Wagner mercenary group has vowed to “go all the way” to topple Russia’s military leadership, hours after the Kremlin accused him of “armed rebellion”. He said his forces would “destroy everything” in their way.

The mayor of Moscow said on Saturday that “anti-terror” measures were being taken in the Russian capital after the chief of mercenary group Wagner vowed to bring down the country’s military leadership.

“In connection with the incoming information in Moscow, anti-terrorist measures aimed at strengthening security are being taken,” Sergei Sobyanin said on social media.

“A decision has been taken to reinforce security measures in the region,” said Igor Artamonov, governor of the Lipetsk region south of Moscow. “I ask everyone to remain calm.” The region of Lipetsk is around 400 kilometres south of Moscow.

Prigozhin claimed that his forces had shot down a Russian military helicopter that “opened fire on a civilian convoy”. He did not give a location and the assertion could not be immediately verified, reported the BBC.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was getting around-the-clock updates, TASS said, while the White House said it was monitoring the situation and would consult with allies, reported Reuters.

The deputy commander of Russia’s Ukraine campaign, General Sergei Surovikin, told Wagner fighters to obey Putin, accept Moscow’s commanders and return to their bases. He said political deterioration would play into the hands of Russia’s enemies.

Russia’s FSB security service opened a criminal case against him and has called on the Wagner private military company forces to ignore his orders and arrest Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin.

FSB offices are being evacuated in Voronezh and Lipetsk regions. They are on Prigozhin’s route to Moscow from Rostov.

-PTI