Wagner forces have entered Russia, according to the Russian paramilitary group’s leader Yevgeny Prigozhin – who has vowed revenge following allegations of Russian attacks on the group’s positions in Ukraine.
– We are inside the defense headquarters, claims the Wagner boss.
– It is a stab in the back, Putin replies in a speech and promises to “reply hard”.
Wagner forces have crossed the border into Russia and entered the southern Russian region of Rostov, the paramilitary group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said in a statement.
– We are inside the defense headquarters. The time is 7.30. We have control over the military facilities in Rostov, including an airfield, Prigozhin said in a video posted by Telegram on Saturday morning.
At the same time, Russian security sources tell Reuters that the Wagner group has taken control of all military facilities in the city of Voronezh in southern Russia. From the city it is only another 50 kilometers to the capital Moscow.
Promised revenge
Prigozhin on Friday accused the Russian Defense Ministry of deliberately bombing Wagner soldiers stationed in Ukraine – something the ministry denied.
– They have carried out robotic attacks against our rear lines, said a furious Yevgeny Prigozhin in one of several audio recordings published on Friday evening.
According to Prigozhin – who accuses Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of being behind the attacks – a “huge” number of Wagner’s soldiers have been killed.
He further vowed to avenge the attacks, saying that Wagner, “with 25,000 soldiers”, will “march for justice”. He calls on all Russians to support the fight against the country’s military leadership, but adds that it is “not a military coup”.
What is the goal of the “march” is unclear.
Map: The road between Rostov and Moscow.
Map: The road between Rostov and Moscow.
“Armed Rebellion”
The Russian security service has opened a criminal investigation against Prigozhin for inciting armed rebellion, according to the state news agency Tass.
“Prigozhin’s statements and actions constitute, in practice, calls for an armed civil conflict on Russian territory and a stab in the back of the Russian military,” the FSB said in a statement, calling on Wagner soldiers to arrest its leader.
President Vladimir Putin has been informed of the allegations, according to the Kremlin, which also said the necessary measures would be taken.
“It’s a stab in the back”
In a speech to the nation on Saturday, Putin called the Wagner group’s rebellion “treason”, and that they will “respond strongly”.
The president describes the situation in Rostov as “very complicated” and that he is “doing everything to repel this attack”, reports Sky News.
– It’s a stab in the back, he says.
On Saturday, Russia also announced an “anti-terrorist operational regime” in Moscow and the Moscow region following Prigozhin’s statements.
– I recommend that you stop. The enemy is just waiting for the domestic political situation in our country to deteriorate. It is unacceptable to play into the hands of the enemy in this difficult time for our country. says Sergei Surovikin, general in Russia.
Several cities under Wagner’s control
At the same time as there are reports that Russian military helicopters fired at a convoy of Wagner vehicles on the M-4 highway just outside Voronezh, a fuel depot at an oil refinery in the city is reportedly on fire.
There has also been information that it is the Russian air force that caused the fire with the aim of depriving Wagergruppen of access to fuel. Videos posted on social media also show signs of active fighting along the highway.
The Wagner group is now said to be in control of the cities of Rosov and Voronezh. On Saturday afternoon, Igor Artamonov, governor of the neighboring Lipetsk region, also confirmed that Wagner forces are moving in the area.
According to sources the BBC spoke to, Wagner soldiers have already taken control of a number of military facilities in the city, which is located approximately 40 miles south of Moscow.