Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin mentioned Saturday {that a} contingent of his fighters who superior in direction of Moscow in what he described as a rise up in opposition to Russian army leaders would flip again to keep away from bloodshed, de-escalating a serious problem to President Vladimir Putin’s grip on energy. In a deal brokered by Minsk, Prigozhin will transfer to Belarus and Wagner fighters who took half within the advance is not going to be punished, the Kremlin mentioned. Read our weblog to see how the day’s occasions unfolded. All instances are Paris time (GMT+2).
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06:00am: Chaos in Russia works to our benefit, say Ukraine officers
Chaos in Russia works to Kyiv’s benefit, Ukraine officers mentioned on Saturday, however it stays to be seen whether or not President Volodymyr Zelensky and his military can capitalise on the dysfunction brought about this weekend as mercenaries marched in direction of Moscow.
Late on Saturday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, a founding father of the Wagner military, mentioned he was halting his “march for justice” on Moscow after a deal that spared him and his mercenaries from dealing with felony expenses. The deal additionally exiled Prigozhin to Belarus.
“Today the world saw that the masters of Russia do not control anything. Nothing at all. Just complete chaos,” Zelensky mentioned in his nightly video handle, urging Ukraine’s allies to make use of the second and ship extra weapons to Kyiv.
FRANCE 24’s Gulliver Cragg experiences from Kyiv.
05:08am: US spy companies detected indicators of Prigozhin’s plans on Wednesday – New York Times
US spy companies picked up indicators days in the past that mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was getting ready to stand up in opposition to Russia’s protection institution, US media reported on Saturday.
Intelligence officers performed briefings on the White House, the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill concerning the potential for unrest in nuclear-armed Russia a full day earlier than it unfolded, the Washington Post and New York Times reported.
Spy companies first started monitoring indications that Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenary power meant to maneuver in opposition to the Russian army management in mid-June, the Post mentioned.
The Times mentioned the knowledge was each stable and alarming by mid-week, resulting in the flurry of briefings.
As US intelligence officers pinned down info that Prigozhin was getting ready army motion, they grew involved about chaos in a rustic with a robust nuclear arsenal, the Times reported.
US spy companies imagine that Putin himself was knowledgeable that Prigozhin, as soon as an in depth ally, was plotting his rise up no less than a day earlier than it occurred, the Post reported.
02:36am: Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin, the businessman and founding father of the Wagner Group?
* Prigozhin, 62, has for many years been often called “Putin’s chef” as a consequence of his firm’s Kremlin catering contracts. It’s unclear how pleasant he and Russian President Vladimir Putin are, however they know one another and each males had been born and raised in St Petersburg.
* After serving a protracted jail sentence within the Eighties, Prigozhin began out promoting hotdogs in his hometown. He quickly started to construct up a stake in a series of supermarkets, and finally opened his personal restaurant and catering firm.
* His restaurant gained a repute for its nice meals and was quickly internet hosting metropolis dignitaries together with then deputy mayor Vladimir Putin.
* From there, Prigozhin’s catering agency Concord started to win authorities provide contracts, taking its operations to a a lot greater stage.
* Prigozhin admitted final September that he had based the non-public army group in 2014, the 12 months Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. The Wagner Group has fought in Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic and Mali, amongst different nations.
* The group additionally supplied assist to Russia-backed separatists who seized a bit of Ukraine’s jap Donbas area in 2014.
* Last month the group seized the jap Ukrainian metropolis of Bakhmut after a few of the battle’s most brutal preventing.
* The United States and European Union have imposed sanctions on Prigozhin for his position in Wagner. They additionally accuse him of funding a troll farm often called the Internet Research Agency that Washington says tried to affect US elections.
01:28am: Russian highways restrictions lifted
All restrictions beforehand imposed on highways in Russia have been lifted, the TASS news company mentioned early on Sunday, citing the Federal Road Agency.
Heavily armed Russian mercenaries who superior many of the option to Moscow started turning again on Saturday, de-escalating a serious problem to President Vladimir Putin’s grip on energy, in a transfer their chief mentioned would keep away from bloodshed.
11:30pm: Wagner mercenary fighters have left Russian metropolis of Rostov-on-Don, says regional governor
Wagner group fighters have left the southern Russian metropolis of Rostov-on-Don with their chief Yevegeny Prigozhin and are headed again to their subject camps, the regional governor mentioned Sunday.
Heavily armed Russian mercenaries who superior many of the option to Moscow started turning again on Saturday, de-escalating a serious problem to President Vladimir Putin’s grip on energy in a transfer their chief and the Kremlin mentioned would keep away from bloodshed.
The rebellious Russian mercenary commander who ordered his troops to march on Moscow earlier than abruptly reversing course will transfer to neighboring Belarus and never face prosecution, the Kremlin mentioned Saturday, as a part of a deal to defuse a disaster that represented essentially the most important problem to President Vladimir Putin in his greater than twenty years in energy.
11:15pm: Prigozhin ‘humiliated Putin’ with mutiny, says Zelensky aide
Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has humiliated Russian President Vladimir Putin along with his aborted rise up, the Ukrainian presidency mentioned Saturday.
“Prigozhin humiliated Putin/the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence,” Mykhailo Podolyak, an aide to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, mentioned on Twitter.
11:10pm: Three thousand elite Chechen troops despatched to guard Moscow
Three thousand elite Chechen troops took up positions in Moscow early on Saturday morning to defend the Russian capital in opposition to advancing mutineers from the Wagner mercenary group, the Chechen state broadcaster “Grozny” mentioned on Saturday evening.
“The fighters have been at their positions in Moscow since early morning and are ready to carry out any order from Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin,” it mentioned on Telegram.
10:04pm: Kremlin says Wagner fighters will not be punished for rise up, felony case in opposition to Prigozhin is closed
Wagner Group fighters is not going to face punishment for rise up as a felony case in opposition to their chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is closed, Kremlin spokesman says.
Wagner fighters who didn’t participate within the advance on Moscow will signal contracts with the Russian defence ministry, the Kremlin mentioned. Other fighters is not going to be prosecuted, it mentioned, in recognition of their service.
“We have always respected their heroic deeds at the front,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned.
9:56pm: Prigozhin to maneuver to Belarus beneath deal to finish Wagner rise up, Kremlin says
Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin will transfer to Belarus beneath a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to finish an armed rise up that Prigozhin had led in opposition to Russia’s army management, the Kremlin mentioned on Saturday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned Lukashenko had provided to mediate, with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s settlement, as a result of he had identified Prigozhin personally for round 20 years.
9:55pm: Wagner begins pulling again fighters from Russia’s Rostov-on-Don
The Wagner Group on Saturday started pulling again fighters and gear from the southern Russian metropolis of Rostov-on-Don, after the group’s chief Yevgeny Prigozhin halted an advance on Moscow.
A tank, a number of cargo vans and a number of other minivans carrying fighters left the army headquarters that the group had occupied earlier, an AFP reporter noticed.
9:31pm: Ukrainian forces have made advances close to Bakhmut, defence ministry says
Ukraine’s army mentioned on Saturday that its forces had made advances close to Bakhmut, one of many focal factors of preventing on the jap entrance, and in an space additional south.
Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar, writing on Telegram, mentioned an offensive was launched close to a bunch of villages ringing Bakhmut – the city taken by Wagner Group forces final month after months of preventing.
“In all these areas, we have made advances,” Maliar wrote.
Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, commander of the Tavria, or southern, entrance, mentioned Ukrainian forces had liberated an space close to Krasnohorivka, west of the Russian-held regional centre of Donetsk. He mentioned the world had been beneath Russian management since separatist forces backed by Moscow took management of it in 2014.
9:15pm: Authorities in Russia’s Lipetsk start lifting journey restrictions following Wagner reversal
Authorities within the southern Russian area of Lipetsk on Saturday started lifting journey restrictions after Wagner Group mercenaries that had earlier entered the province introduced they might fall again.
“We are beginning to lift restrictions introduced today,” the area’s governor Igor Artamonov mentioned on Telegram.
Artamonov earlier mentioned that residents had been “strongly recommended not to leave their houses or to make trips on any mode of transport” whereas Wagner fighters had been “moving across” the area in direction of Moscow.
8:56pm: Belarus says Putin thanked Lukashenko for negotiating with Wagner chief
Minsk mentioned on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko after Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin introduced he was turning round his forces.
“The President of Belarus informed the President of Russia in detail about the results of negotiations with the leadership of PMC Wagner,” Lukashenko’s press service mentioned in a press release, including Putin “thanked his Belarusian colleague”.
7:44pm: Prigozhin says Wagner fighters will return to base, so to not ‘spill Russian blood’
Wagner Group fighters who surged many of the option to Moscow have agreed to show again to keep away from bloodshed, their chief Yevgeny Prigozhin mentioned on Saturday, in a de-escalation of what had turn out to be a serious problem to President Vladimir Putin’s grip on energy.
The Wagner fighters had been already many of the option to the Moscow, having captured town of Rostov-on-Don and set off on a 1,100 kilometre race to the capital.
In an audio message, Prigozhin mentioned the fighters would return to base due to the chance of blood being spilled.
“We are turning our columns around and going back to field camps,” Prigozhin introduced. He mentioned he understood the significance of the second and didn’t need to “spill Russian blood”.
Prigozhin additionally mentioned that Wagner fighters had superior to inside 200 kilometres of Moscow.
Earlier, Prigozhin mentioned his males had been on a “march for justice” to take away corrupt and incompetent Russian army commanders. On Friday, he accused Russia’s army of attacking Wagner fighters.
7:25pm: Belarus says Wagner chief agrees to halt fighters’ actions in Russia
The workplace of Belarusian chief Alexander Lukashenko mentioned on Saturday that he had brokered a take care of Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin who agreed to halt the additional motion of the group’s fighters throughout Russia.
The announcement was carried on the official Telegram channel of the Belarusian presidency.
7:14pm: ‘Breakage within the system’ of Russia’s battle was ‘inevitable’, Ukrainian intelligence supply says to FRANCE 24
A Ukrainian army intelligence supply advised FRANCE 24 mentioned {that a} “breakage in the system” of Russia’s battle effort was “inevitable”. The supply mentioned, nonetheless, that it’s nonetheless doable for President Vladimir Putin to “strangle” the Wagner Group’s rise up. FRANCE 24’s Gwendoline Debono experiences from Zaporizhzhia.
7:10pm: Top US army officer Milley cancels Middle East journey as a consequence of scenario in Russia
Army General Mark Milley, the highest US army officer, has cancelled a visit to the Middle East due to the scenario in Russia, his spokesperson mentioned.
Milley, who was meant depart at present for a visit to Israel and Jordan, additionally spoke at present along with his Ukrainian counterpart, Milley’s workplace mentioned in a separate assertion.
6:32pm: Biden has spoken with Macron, Germany’s Scholz and UK’s Sunak about scenario in Russia
US President Joe Biden on Saturday mentioned the scenario in Russia with the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom as rebellious Wagner Group mercenaries superior in direction of Moscow, the White House mentioned.
“The leaders discussed the situation in Russia. They also affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine,” a readout mentioned.
A White House spokesman additionally mentioned Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed by their nationwide safety staff Saturday morning and can proceed to be briefed all through the day.
6:29pm: Ukrainian authorities see Wagner rise up as weakening Putin’s energy
Ukrainian authorities are saying that the continued Wagner Group rise up in Russia is a logical end result of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and see it as weakening President Vladimir Putin’s energy, FRANCE 24’s Gulliver Cragg experiences. A Ukrainian army knowledgeable advised the correspondent that regardless of the rebellion, the scenario on Ukraine’s entrance strains remained largely unchanged.
6:03pm: France advises in opposition to all journey to Russia
France suggested in opposition to all journey to Russia given the “high volatility” of the army and safety scenario within the nation, its overseas ministry mentioned on Saturday on its web site.
5:43pm: Moscow mayor asks residents to chorus from journeys, declares Monday a non-working day ‘to minimise dangers’
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Saturday requested folks to chorus from journeys across the metropolis so far as doable given a counterterrorism operation had been declared and mentioned the scenario was “difficult”.
Sobyanin additionally mentioned in a press release that Monday can be a non-working day – with some exceptions – so as “to minimise risks”.
He issued the assertion as rebellious Wagner mercenary fighters gave the impression to be persevering with to drive in direction of Moscow from southern Russia.
5:11pm: Russia’s Kaluga area introduces journey restrictions as Wagner forces advance in direction of Moscow
Authorities within the Kaluga area south of Moscow on Saturday launched journey restrictions as Wagner Group forces moved in direction of the Russian capital.
“Please refrain from travelling by private vehicle on these roads unless absolutely necessary,” governor Vladislav Shapsha mentioned in a press release on social media, referring to move arteries between his area and a number of other others, together with these bordering Ukraine.
The restrictions in Kaluga are in place as Wagner mercenaries had been “moving across” the Lipetsk area some 400 kilometres south of Moscow, that area’s governor mentioned Saturday. Lipetsk is south and barely east of Kaluga, and the 2 areas are separated by the Tula area.
4:57pm: Erdogan requires ‘widespread sense’ amid Wagner rise up in cellphone name with Putin
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday mentioned Turkey was prepared to assist search a “peaceful resolution” to an armed rise up in Russia in a cellphone name along with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, his workplace mentioned.
Erdogan “underlined the importance of acting with common sense”, the Turkish presidency mentioned in a press release. “President Erdogan said that we, as Turkey, are ready to do our part for the peaceful resolution of events in Russia as soon as possible.”
For its half, the Kremlin mentioned Saturday that Erdogan had voiced full assist for Putin in the course of the name.
“The president of Russia gave information about the situation in the country in connection with an attempted armed rebellion,” the Kremlin mentioned in a press release. “The president of the republic of Turkey expressed full support for the steps taken by the Russian leadership.”
4:22pm: Latvia says it is tightening border safety with Russia amid Wagner rise up
Latvia’s president-elect on Saturday mentioned the Baltic state had tightened its border safety in response to the rise up beneath means in Russia and wouldn’t be admitting Russians.
“Latvia is closely following the developing situation in Russia … Border security has been strengthened, visa or border entry from Russians leaving Russia due to current events won’t be considered,” Edgars Rinkevics mentioned on Twitter.
“Latvia will not issue humanitarian or other types of visas,” added the president-elect, who can also be nonetheless the overseas minister.
Latvia had already final 12 months stopped issuing new visas to Russian residents, however it had till now made an exception for humanitarian visas.
In neighbouring Estonia, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas additionally mentioned “border security has been strengthened”.
“I also urge our people not to travel to any part of Russia,” she added.
3:49pm: Wagner strikes nearer to Moscow as Lipetsk governor pronounces mercenaries have entered the area
Wagner Group mercenaries had been “moving across” the Lipetsk area some 400 kilometres (250 miles) south of Moscow, the area’s governor mentioned Saturday. The armed group has vowed to overthrow Russia’s army management.
“Hardware of the Wagner mercenary group is moving across the territory of the Lipetsk region,” governor Igor Artamonov mentioned on Telegram. “I remind you that residents are strongly recommended not to leave their houses or to make trips on any mode of transport.”
Lipetsk is even nearer to Moscow than the Voronezh area, the place Wagner fighters earlier at present took management of army services, in keeping with a Russian safety supply. Voronezh is roughly midway between the Russian capital and the southern metropolis of Rostov-on-Don, which the mercenary group introduced it had seized in a single day.
3:36pm: Blinken says he spoke with G7, EU counterparts after Wagner Group rise up started
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned on Saturday he spoke along with his G7 and EU counterparts after Wagner Group fighters took management of some army services in southern Russia.
“The United States will stay in close coordination with Allies and partners as the situation continues to develop,” Blinken wrote on Twitter.
Blinken spoke with all of his G7 counterparts from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the State Department mentioned.
“Secretary Blinken reiterated that support by the United States for Ukraine will not change,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller mentioned in a launch.
3:14pm: Belarus says Wagner rise up is a ‘reward’ to the West
Russia’s shut ally Belarus mentioned Saturday that the armed riot beneath means by the Wagner Group was a “gift” to Western nations, warning the rebellion may spell “disaster”.
“Any provocation, any internal conflict in military or political circles, in the information field or in civil society is a gift to the collective West,” the Belarusian overseas ministry mentioned, citing a press release by Minsk’s safety council.
3:06pm: Putin indicators legislation allowing 30-day detentions for breaking martial legislation
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed a legislation allowing 30-day detentions for breaking martial legislation in locations the place it has been imposed, the state RIA news company reported.
2:54pm: Chechnya’s Kadyrov says sending models to ‘zones of pressure’ in Russia following Wagner rise up
The strongman chief of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, introduced Saturday he had despatched Chechen models to “zones of tension” in Russia after Wagner mercenaries launched a rise up within the nation.
“Defence ministry and National Guard fighters of the Chechen Republic have already left for the zones of tension,” Kadyrov, an in depth ally of President Vladimir Putin, mentioned on Telegram. “The rebellion must be put down, and if harsh measures are necessary, we are ready!”
2:37pm: Russian troopers arrange machine gun place on fringe of Moscow, Russian newspaper experiences
Russian troopers on Saturday arrange a machine gun place on the southwest fringe of Moscow, in keeping with pictures revealed by the Vedomosti newspaper.
Photographs additionally confirmed armed police gathering on the level the place the M4 freeway – which rebelling Wagner mercenaries are transferring alongside – reaches the Russian capital.
2pm: Prigozhin says Wagner forces took military HQ with out firing a single shot
Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin mentioned on Saturday that his Wagner troops had not wanted to fireside a single shot after they took management of the headquarters of Russia’s Southern Military District in Rostov.
“Why does the country support us? Because we went on a march of justice,” Prigozhin mentioned in his newest Telegram audio message. “We got to Rostov. Without a single shot we captured the building of the (army) HQ.”
In a brand new audio message launched by his press service, he mentioned his males had been fired on by artillery and helicopters en path to Rostov nonetheless.
He mentioned he thought he had the assist of the Russian folks for what he calls his “march of justice”.
1:59pm: Putin working within the Kremlin as rise up ongoing, spokesman says
Russian President Vladimir Putin is working as regular within the Kremlin, his spokesman mentioned Saturday, after the Russian Wagner mercenary group vowed to topple the nation’s senior army management.
“The president is working in the Kremlin,” his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, advised the state-run RIA Novosti news company, after Wagner models claimed to have captured army installations in southern Russia.
1:57pm: Qatar expresses concern over scenario in Russia
Qatar expressed its considerations over the scenario in Russia on Saturday and known as for “maximum restraint” from all events, the overseas ministry mentioned in a press release.
“The foreign ministry warns that escalation in Russia and Ukraine will have negative consequences for international peace and security and will impact food and energy supplies,” the assertion added.
1:55pm: Russian military says rebuffed Kyiv assaults in south and east Ukraine
The Russian military on Saturday mentioned it had rebuffed assaults from Kyiv’s forces within the south and east of Ukraine, amid rival Wagner forces’ rise up inside Russia, vowing to overthrow Moscow’s high brass.
Russian military models had “in the last day successfully fought off nine attacks” alongside the Donetsk entrance, together with close to Bakhmut, Moscow’s military mentioned in a press release. It added that an assault in southern Ukraine, close to the settlement of Yablokovo within the Zaporizhzhia area, was additionally pushed again.
1:35pm: Russian helicopters open hearth on Wagner column rolling in direction of Moscow
Russian army helicopters opened hearth on Saturday afternoon on a convoy of insurgent mercenaries already greater than midway in direction of Moscow in a lightning advance after seizing a southern metropolis in a single day.
A Reuters journalist noticed military helicopters open hearth on an armed Wagner column that was advancing previous town of Voronezh with troop carriers and no less than one tank on a flatbed truck. The metropolis is greater than midway alongside the 1,100-km (680-mile) freeway from Rostov to Moscow.
Fighters from Yevgeny Prigozhin’s non-public Wagner militia have seized management of Rostov-on-Don, a metropolis of greater than 1,000,000 folks near the border with Ukraine, and are quickly advancing northwards by way of western Russia.
1:25pm: Russian Lipetsk area governor urges residents to remain dwelling
Authorities in Russia’s southwestern Lipetsk area urged residents to remain at dwelling on Saturday after the Wagner mercenary group vowed to take up arms to topple the nation’s army management.
“To ensure law and order and the safety of the citizens of the Lipetsk region, the operational headquarters of the region asks residents without urgent need not to leave their homes and refrain from any travel by personal or public transport,” the regional authorities’s press service mentioned in a press release on social media.
Lipetsk is positioned north from Voronezh, between the latter and Moscow. They issued the warning amid experiences that rebellious Wagner mercenaries had been transiting the area en path to Moscow. A Reuters journalist on Saturday reported seeing a military helicopter open hearth on an armed Wagner column on the M4 freeway exterior Voronezh.
1:10pm: Navigation on Moskva river briefly suspended, authorities say
Navigation on the Moskva river, which runs by way of the Russian capital Moscow, was briefly suspended on Saturday amid an armed rise up launched by the Wagner mercenary group, the state news company TASS reported, citing the authorities.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin mentioned in a separate assertion that no restrictions had been put in place for vehicles and lorries coming out and in of town, however mentioned safety checks had been stepped up.
12:24pm: Oil depot gas tank on hearth in Russia’s Voronzeh area, governor says
The governor of Russia’s Voronezh area mentioned on Saturday that emergency companies had been attempting to place out a burning gas tank at an oil depot.
“In Voronezh, (authorities) are extinguishing a burning fuel depot,” the governor Alexander Gusev mentioned on Telegram. “There are 100 firefighters and more than 30 vehicles at the scene,” he added, saying there have been “no victims according to the first data.”
Gusev didn’t give the reason for the hearth, however video footage obtained by Reuters confirmed a ball of fireside erupting after a helicopter flew close to a residential space. The Voronezh location was verified by Reuters by buildings and highway traits that matched satellite tv for pc imagery.
Earlier on Saturday, a Russian safety supply advised Reuters that Wagner fighters had taken management of army services within the metropolis of Voronezh, about 500 km (310 miles) south of Moscow. It is positioned midway between Rostov-on-Don, whose army HQ Wagner claimed management of, and Russian capital Moscow.
12:15pm: Wagner rise up reveals Russia’s ‘full-scale weak point’, says Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned Saturday that an armed riot launched by members of the Wagner mercenary group was proof of Russia’s inherent political instability.
“Russia’s weakness is obvious. Full-scale weakness. And the longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries on our land, the more chaos, pain, and problems it will have for itself later,” he mentioned in assertion on social media, including that: “Ukraine is able to protect Europe from the spread of Russian evil and chaos.”
11:50am: Wagner fighters declare management of Voronezh army services
A Russian safety supply advised Reuters that Wagner fighters had additionally taken management of army services within the metropolis of Voronezh, additional north on the highway in direction of Moscow.
The governor of Russia’s southern area of Voronezh mentioned Saturday that Russian army had been taking essential measures to suppress an try by the Wagner mercenary group to topple the nation’s senior army management.
“As part of the counter-terrorist operation on the territory of the Voronezh region, the armed forces of the Russian Federation are carrying out necessary operational and combat measures,” the official, Alexander Gusev, mentioned in a press release on social media.
Reuters couldn’t independently verify the scenario there.
In Moscow, there was an elevated safety presence on the streets. Red Square was blocked off by metallic obstacles.
11:45am: Wagner chief Prigozhin ‘attempting to make a spot for himself for the post-Putin Russia’, says analyst
Political analyst Alexandra Filippenko breaks down Wagner’s rise up: “This has been prepared for a long time.”
11:35am: Wagner chief Prigozhin says fighters is not going to flip themselves in, calls Putin ‘deeply mistaken’
Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin mentioned on Saturday that he and his males within the Wagner Group wouldn’t flip themselves in on the orders of President Vladimir Putin.
The president’s former shut ally, Prigozhin mentioned Putin made a “deep mistake” in calling rebelling Wagner fighters “traitors”.
“The president makes a deep mistake when he talks about treason. We are patriots of our motherland, we fought and are fighting for it,” Prigozhin, who launched a rise up in a single day, mentioned in an audio message. “We don’t want the country to continue to live in corruption, deceit and bureaucracy.”
No Wagner fighters had been planning to show themselves in, neither at Putin’s request nor on the request of Russia’s FSB safety service, Prigozhin added.
11:05am: Chechen chief says his forces are prepared to assist put down Wagner rise up
Chechen chief Ramzan Kadyrov mentioned on Saturday his forces had been prepared to assist put down an ongoing armed rebellion by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and to make use of harsh strategies if essential. Kadyrov in a press release known as Prigozhin’s behaviour “a knife in the back” and known as on Russian troopers to not give in to any “provocations”.
10:55am: Officials in Russian-occupied Ukraine categorical assist for Putin
The Russian-installed heads of Ukrainian areas occupied by Moscow on Saturday expressed assist for President Vladimir Putin as Russia faces a rare rise up by mercenaries from the Wagner Group.
“The Kherson region and the people of Kherson completely support our president!”, the Russian-installed head of Ukraine’s southern Kherson area mentioned on Telegram. The Kremlin-appointed head of the a part of the Zaporizhzhia area managed by Moscow, Yevgeny Balitsky, mentioned the territory was “with the president”.
10:40am: Wagner workplace in Saint Petersburg raided, native news outlet experiences
Russian legislation enforcement seems to have performed a raid on the Wagner workplace in St Petersburg, native news outlet Fontanka has reported.
“Law enforcers have entered PMC Wagner Centre on St Petersburg’s Zolnaya street,” the outlet reported. Two buses with riot police and nationwide guards have arrived on the constructing, it experiences, coming into along with folks in plain clothes. Fontanka posted concerning the raid on its Telegram channel on Saturday.
The news outlet claimed that “people in masks and with automatic rifles” had been deployed close to Saint Petersburg’s Blagoveshchensky bridge, the place a lodge and a restaurant linked to Wagner boss Yevgeni Prigozhin are positioned.
10:30am: Russia’s Putin briefed Belarus’ Lukashenko on scenario in Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday briefed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on the scenario in Russia, in keeping with a message posted on the Belarusian presidency’s official Telegram channel.
9:50am: Western nations following scenario in Russia
US President Joe Biden was briefed on the scenario in Russia and Washington and “will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments”, National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge mentioned.
Poland’s president Andrzej Duda “held consultations with the prime minister and the ministry of defence, as well as with allies” concerning the scenario in Russia, he wrote on Twitter on Saturday, including that Warsaw was monitoring the scenario. “The course of events beyond our eastern border is monitored on an ongoing basis,” he mentioned.
French President Emmanuel Macron “is following the situation very closely,” the presidential palace mentioned on Saturday. “We stay focused on the support to Ukraine,” it added.
Britain’s authorities has additionally been issuing a number of experiences. Britain’s overseas ministry warned of a threat of unrest throughout Russia, in an replace of recommendation to travellers on Saturday following actions by Russia’s Wagner Group of mercenary forces. “There are reports of military tensions in the Rostov region and a risk of further unrest across the country,” Britain’s overseas ministry mentioned.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s authorities can also be monitoring the scenario. “We are monitoring events in Russia closely,” a spokesperson on the authorities’s press workplace mentioned on Saturday;
European Council President Charles Michel mentioned on Saturday he was “closely monitoring” the scenario in Russia and was in contact with fellow European Union leaders and G7 companions. “This is clearly an internal Russian issue,” Michel, the president of the physique that brings collectively the leaders of the EU’s 27 member nations, mentioned on Twitter. He additionally mentioned the EU’s assist for Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was “unwavering”.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has additionally mentioned “Estonia is closely following the development of the situation in Russia and exchanging information with allies. I can assure that there is no direct threat to our country. Border security has been strengthened. I also urge our people not to travel to any part of Russia.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is carefully monitoring occasions in Russia, her workplace mentioned Saturday, whereas her overseas minister urged Italians dwelling there to train warning.”Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is closely following the events taking place in Russia, which show how the aggression against Ukraine is causing instability also within Russia,” her workplace mentioned in a press release. On Twitter, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani mentioned that for the second there was no concern for Italians dwelling in Russia, however mentioned they had been “advised to be cautious”.
9:34am: Russian state dealing with ‘important problem’ from Wagner rise up, Britain’s defence ministry says
Britain’s defence ministry mentioned on Saturday that the Russian state was dealing with its best safety problem of current instances and that the result would depend upon the “loyalty of Russia’s security forces”.
“Over the coming hours, the loyalty of Russia’s security forces, and especially the Russian National Guard, will be key to how this crisis plays out. This represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times,” Britain’s defence ministry mentioned in an everyday intelligence replace Saturday morning.
UK army intelligence mentioned earlier that Wagner models had been transferring north by way of Vorenezh oblast and are probably headed for Moscow.
9:04am: Putin accuses Wagner of ‘treason’, requires ‘unity’ of safety forces
In a televised handle to the nation Saturday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin known as an armed rise up by Wagner mercenaries “treason” whereas promising to “defend the people” and Russia.
He accused these concerned of “betraying” Russia out of “personal ambition”, calling the actions “a knife in the back”.
Putin mentioned the rise up had blocked native civilian and army governing our bodies in Rostov-on-Don and vowed to punish these accountable.
He mentioned the scenario remained “difficult” in the important thing southern metropolis, the place the Wagner group claimed management of the military headquarters, which oversees the preventing in Ukraine.
Russia’s FSB opened a felony probe into Prigozhin for “armed mutiny” on Friday.
9:00am: At least three killed in newest Russian air strike on Ukraine
At least three folks had been killed early on Saturday after Russia unleashed its newest in a single day air strike on Ukraine, officers mentioned. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko mentioned missiles had focused least 5 areas throughout the nation and that three folks had been killed and eight wounded after a high-rise within the capital Kyiv was struck.
Officials within the southeastern area of Dnipropetrovsk mentioned eight folks had been wounded – two of them youngsters – and a number of other buildings destroyed in assaults there.
Governor Serhiy Lysak mentioned air defences had destroyed 9 missiles and three drones however that residential buildings within the regional capital Dnipro and an unspecified infrastructure object had been hit. “Not a single military target,” Mayor Borys Filatov wrote individually on Telegram.
At least three Russian missiles additionally focused Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest metropolis, with one hitting a fuel line and triggering a hearth, mentioned Mayor Ihor Terekhov. He mentioned emergency companies had been on the scene however gave no particulars on casualties.
8:52am: Russian military urges Wagner fighters to desert Prigozhin, says will ‘assure security’ for deserters
The Russian military on Saturday urged Wagner fighters to desert the group’s chief, saying it could “guarantee the safety” of Wagner mercenaries who cease rebelling in opposition to Moscow’s army management.
“We are appealing to the fighters of assault squads of PMC Wagner. You were deceived into (Wagner chief’s Yevgeny) Prigozhin’s criminal venture and participation in an armed rebellion,” the military mentioned in a press release posted on Telegram. It known as on the fighters to ask for assist to return to “places of permanent deployment”.
“We ask you to show reason and get in touch with representatives of Russia’s defence ministry or law enforcement. We guarantee safety for all.”
8:40am: ‘We are watching’, ‘all the pieces simply starting in Russia’, Kyiv says
Ukrainian officers have categorical restricted response to Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin’s name for rise up. Ukrainian Defence Ministry has tweeted “We are watching”, with no further comments. According to FRANCE 24’s correspondent Gulliver Cragg, Ukrainians took to social media following this “surprising” news.
A senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday additionally described the actions by Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin as a “counter-terrorist operation” and mentioned that “everything is just beginning in Russia”.
“The split between the elites is too obvious. Agreeing and pretending that everything is settled won’t work,” Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted. “Someone must definitely lose: either Prigozhin … or the collective ‘anti-Prigozhin’,” he added. “Everything is just beginning in Russia.”
8:15am: Russia declares ‘anti-terrorist operation regime’ in Moscow
Russia’s anti-terrorist committee mentioned on Saturday that it was imposing an “anti-terror operation regime” in Moscow and the encompassing area amid an obvious rise up by the Wagner mercenary group, the state news company RIA reported.
“With the aim of preventing possible terrorist acts on the territory of the city of Moscow and the Moscow region, an anti-terror operation regime has been introduced,” the nation’s nationwide anti-terrorist committee mentioned in a press release quoted by Russian companies.
8:11am: Wagner head Prigozhin claims troops controls military HQ overseeing preventing in Ukraine, planes ‘leaving as regular’
Yevgeny Prigozhin posted a video of himself in Rostov-on-Don on the Russian army headquarters that oversees the preventing in Ukraine. He claimed that his forces had army services within the metropolis beneath their management, together with the air subject. Other movies posted on social media confirmed army autos, together with tanks, on the streets exterior.
“We are inside the (army) headquarters, it is 7:30 am (0430 GMT),” Prigozhin mentioned in a video on Telegram. “Military sites in Rostov, including an aerodrome, are under control,” he added.
He mentioned that planes collaborating within the Ukraine offensive “are leaving as normal” from the airfield. “We took (the aerodrome) under control so that the attack aviation did not strike us, but strike Ukrainians,” Prigozhin mentioned.
8am: Russian President Putin to provide televised handle ‘quickly’, Kremlin says
Russian President Vladimir Putin will give a televised handle quickly, the TASS news company cited the Kremlin as saying on Saturday. “Putin will make an address soon”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised Russian news companies.
6:55am: Wagner chief says group inside Rostov military HQ, controls all metropolis’s army websites, together with HQ that oversees Ukraine preventing
The head of Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin introduced Saturday that he was inside the military HQ in southern Russia’s Rostov-on-Don and that his fighters management town’s army websites, together with an aerodrome, after vowing to deliver down Moscow’s high brass.
“We are inside the (army) headquarters, it is 7:30 am (0430 GMT),” Prigozhin mentioned in a video on Telegram. “Military sites in Rostov, including an aerodrome, are under control,” he added.
The metropolis is dwelling to the Russian army headquarters that oversees the preventing in Ukraine.
5:48am: Russian M-4 motorway closed to site visitors 400 km south of Moscow, says regional governor
The governor of the Lipetsk area in central Russia mentioned on Saturday that the M-4 motorway connecting Moscow with southern areas was closed to site visitors on the border with the Voronezh area, some 400 km (250 miles) south of Moscow.
Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin appeared to have despatched an armed convoy of his Wagner fighters on a 1,200-km (750-mile) drive in direction of Moscow, having mentioned that he meant to oust the army management.
5:15am: Moscow mayor says ‘anti-terror’ actions beneath means
The mayor of Moscow mentioned on Saturday that “anti-terror” measures had been being taken within the Russian capital after the chief of mercenary group Wagner vowed to deliver down the nation’s army management.
Authorities within the areas of Rostov and Lipetsk additionally mentioned safety had been bolstered there.
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin mentioned earlier his models, which spearheaded an assault in jap Ukraine, had entered the southern area of Rostov.
“In connection with the incoming information in Moscow, anti-terrorist measures aimed at strengthening security are being taken,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin mentioned on social media.
Lipetsk governor Igor Artamonov mentioned he was in a gathering with members of the FSB safety service.
5:04am: Anti-Kremlin tycoon urges Russians to again Wagner chief
Anti-Kremlin determine Mikhail Khodorkovsky on Saturday urged Russians to assist the chief of mercenary group Wagner who has vowed to deliver down Moscow’s army management.
“We need to help now, and then, if necessary, we will fight this one, too,” Khodorkovsky, a former oil tycoon who fell foul of the Kremlin, wrote on social media. He mentioned it was necessary to again “even the devil” if he determined to tackle the Kremlin. “And yes, this is just the beginning.”
5:00am: Armed males skirt police constructing seen on movies posted on Russia’s Rostov-on-Don
Videos posted on Russian native Rostov-on-Don Telegram channels early on Saturday confirmed armed males in uniform skirting town’s regional police headquarters, belonging to the Interior Ministry.
It was not instantly clear who the armed males had been. Reuters was in a position to confirm the situation because the police headquarters constructing, however to not decide when the video was shot.
Authorities in southern Russian areas had mentioned measures had been being taken to make sure public security, after the founding father of Russia’s Wagner mercenary power indicated that he deliberate to despatch males to Moscow to oust the army management.
4:30am: Russian army convoy on the transfer, says governor
The authorities of the southern Russian Voronezh area urged residents to keep away from the M-4 north-south motorway connecting Moscow to southern areas as a result of a army convoy was on the transfer there, after the chief of the Wagner non-public militia recommended that he deliberate to oust Russia’s army management.
The authorities mentioned on its Telegram channel that the scenario was beneath management and that measures had been being taken to make sure public security.
4:26am: Wagner chief says his 25,000-strong power is ‘able to die’
The chief of mercenary group Wagner mentioned on Saturday that his 25,000-strong power was “ready to die” as he vowed to topple Russia’s army management.
“All of us are ready to die. All 25,000, and then another 25,000,” Yevgeny Prigozhin mentioned in a brand new audio message. “We are dying for the Russian people.”
3:30am: Wagner chief vows to topple Russian army management
The head of the Wagner mercenary group vowed Saturday to “go to the end” to topple the Russian army management, whom he accused of launching strikes on his males, whereas the nation’s prosecutor common mentioned he was beneath investigation for “armed rebellion”.
“We are going onwards and we will go to the end,” Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62, mentioned in an audio message.
“We will destroy everything that stands in our way,” he added in essentially the most audacious problem to President Vladimir Putin because the begin of the offensive in Ukraine final 12 months.
He later claimed his forces had shot down a Russian army helicopter.
“A helicopter has just now opened fire at a civilian column. It has been shot down by units of PMC Wagner,” he mentioned.
Prigozhin earlier mentioned his forces, who’ve spearheaded a lot of Russia’s offensive, had entered the southern Russian area of Rostov however didn’t present any proof and AFP couldn’t independently confirm his claims.
In Moscow, authorities have tightened safety measures, with important services “put under reinforced protection”, the TASS state-run news company reported, citing a legislation enforcement supply.
The FSB safety service urged Wagner fighters to “take measures to detain” Prigozhin.
Putin was being given common updates on the unfolding tensions between the Wagner group and the defence ministry, the Kremlin mentioned.
Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov had knowledgeable Putin of “the initiation of a criminal case in connection with an attempt to organise an armed rebellion,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned.
3:11am: Southern Russian governor tells residents to remain dwelling as boss of Wagner militia mutinies
The governor of southern Russia’s Rostov area adjoining Ukraine advised residents early on Saturday to stay calm and keep indoors, because the chief of the Wagner non-public militia led what Russia calls a rise up in opposition to the Moscow defence institution.
“Law enforcement agencies are doing everything necessary to ensure the safety of residents of the area. I ask everyone to stay calm and not to leave home unless necessary,” Vassily Golubev mentioned in a message on his Telegram channel simply earlier than 4 a.m. (0100 GMT).
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had mentioned his forces had crossed from Ukraine into the Rostov area. Golubev’s message didn’t say whether or not Prigozhin had entered Rostov.
Kyiv, in the meantime, mentioned the foremost thrust in its counteroffensive in opposition to Moscow’s invasion had but to be launched. “The main blow is still to come,” Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar advised Ukrainian tv
2:30am: Moscow accuses Wagner head of ‘mutiny’, Prigozhin says his forces entered Russia
Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin mentioned on Saturday his Wagner fighters had crossed the border into Russia from Ukraine and had been ready to go “all the way” in opposition to Moscow’s army, hours after the Kremlin accused him of armed ‘mutiny’.
As a long-running standoff between Prigozhin and the army high brass appeared to return to a head, Russia’s FSB safety service opened a felony case in opposition to him, TASS news company mentioned. It known as on the Wagner non-public army firm forces to disregard his orders and arrest him.
Wagner fighters had entered the southern Russian metropolis of Rostov, Prigozhin mentioned in an audio recording posted on Telegram. He mentioned he and his males would destroy anybody who stood of their means.
Prigozhin earlier mentioned, with out offering proof, that Russia’s army management had killed an enormous variety of his troops in an air strike and vowed to punish them.
He mentioned his actions weren’t a army coup. But in a frenzied sequence of audio messages, by which the sound of his voice generally diversified and couldn’t be independently verified, he appeared to recommend that his 25,000-strong militia was en path to oust the management of the defence ministry in Moscow.
Security was stepped up on Friday evening at authorities buildings, transport services and different key places in Moscow, TASS reported, citing a supply at a safety service.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was getting around-the-clock updates, TASS mentioned, whereas the White House mentioned it was monitoring the scenario and would seek the advice of with allies.
Kyiv, in the meantime, mentioned the foremost thrust in its counteroffensive in opposition to Moscow’s invasion had but to be launched. “The main blow is still to come,” Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar advised Ukrainian tv.
Key developments from Friday, June 23:
Russia’s FSB safety companies launched a felony probe into calls to stage “armed mutiny” after the top of the Wagner mercenary group vowed to withstand Moscow’s army management, officers mentioned Friday. The announcement follows statements from Yevgeny Prigozhin accusing Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering a rocket strike on Wagner’s subject camps in Ukraine.
Read yesterday’s liveblog to see how all of the day’s occasions unfolded.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
Originally revealed on France24