Wagner rebellion Highlights: Russia thanks Belarus for diffusing mutiny crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Saturday, thanked Belarus leader, Alexander Lukashenko, after the chief of mercenary group, Wagner, announced he was turning around his forces. 

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Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, could be seen leaving the district military headquarters in the city of Rostov-on-Don in an SUV on Saturday

"A Wagner column left Rostov and headed to their field camps," governor Vasily Golubev said on Telegram. On Saturday they seized control of a key military base there.

"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, said on Twitter.

"Avoiding bloodshed, internal confrontation, and clashes with unpredictable results was the highest goal," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko's mediating efforts were aimed at achieving that goal. 

The Kremlin said the crisis would not affect Russia's military offensive in Ukraine. Government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "out of the question" that Wagner's aborted rebellion would impact Russia's campaign against Kyiv.

The Kremlin said Saturday that Wagner paramilitary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin will leave for Belarus and a criminal case against him will be dropped.

Wagner members will not be prosecuted, a Kremlin spokesman said. "We have always respected their heroic deeds at the front."

Lipetsk authorities began lifting restrictions after Wagner announced it would fall back.

"We are beginning to lift restrictions introduced today," Governor Igor Artamonov said on Telegram.

Chief of Russia Lipetsk region says lifting restrictions after Wagner march stopped

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Saturday he had negotiated with Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin an end to the movement of his mercenary troops inside Russia in order to deescalate the situation.

French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the Wagner rebellion's "possible impact" on the war in Ukraine with leaders including Joe Biden on Saturday, the Elysee said.

"They also confirmed their commitment and determination to support Ukraine to allow it to recover its full sovereignty", the French Presidency said.

Ukraine's defense ministry mocked the presence of Russian troops within the country on Saturday, urging them to return home and participate in the ongoing clashes between rebel mercenaries and Russia's military. The ministry's statement questioned the reason behind Russian soldiers still being stationed in challenging conditions instead of supporting their comrades involved in the conflict. 

In a statement, the Ukrainian ministry asked, "why Russian soldiers are still sitting in muddy trenches rather than running to the aid of their comrades on both sides of the conflict. That would be far safer than confronting the Ukrainian army."
 

The French foreign ministry issued an advisory to its citizens, advising them to avoid traveling to Russia. The warning comes in response to the leader of the Wagner mercenary group initiating a rebellion against the military and making threats to advance toward Moscow.

"We formally advise against any travel in Russia given the very high volatility of the military and security situation, as well decisions to impose regimes of anti-terrorist operations in Moscow and in certain regions," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
 

US President Joe Biden engaged in telephone conversations with the leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom on Saturday regarding the ongoing crisis in Russia, according to a statement from the White House.

The discussions focused on "the situation in Russia," with the leaders expressing their steadfast support for Ukraine.
 

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Saturday appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel within the city due to the declaration of a counter-terrorism operation.

In an official statement, Sobyanin announced that Monday would be designated as a non-working day, with a few exceptions, in order to minimize potential risks.

This decision comes as Wagner mercenary fighters, involved in the mutiny, appeared to be advancing towards Moscow from the southern part of Russia.

Russia on Saturday issued a warning to Western nations, advising them against exploiting the ongoing armed insurrection orchestrated by the Wagner mercenary group within Russia for what Moscow deems as "anti-Russian" objectives.

"We warn the Western countries against any hint of possible use of the domestic Russian situation to achieve their Russophobic goals," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

"All goals and objectives of the special military operation will be fulfilled," the statement added. 

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed Turkey's readiness to aid in finding a "peaceful resolution" to the ongoing armed rebellion in Russia during a phone conversation with President Vladimir Putin.

The Turkish President's office released a statement stating that Erdogan emphasised the significance of approaching the situation with common sense. "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," the statement added. 
 

Russia's parliamentary leaders express support for President Putin against Wagner mercenaries. On Saturday, the speakers of both houses of the Russian parliament declared their backing for President Vladimir Putin amidst the Wagner mercenary group's attempted ousting of the country's military leadership.

Valentina Matvienko, the head of the upper house, affirmed the members' complete support for Putin, while Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower house, called on Russians to rally behind the longstanding leader.

In response to the ongoing mutiny in Russia, Latvia's announced on Saturday that the Baltic state has enhanced its border security measures and will not be allowing entry to 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," President-elect Edgars Rinkevics tweeted.

According to the Lipetsk governor, Igor Artamonov, the Wagner mercenaries, who pledged to overthrow Russia's military leadership, were moving through the Lipetsk region, situated around 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Moscow. Governor

Artamonov issued a warning through Telegram, urging residents to remain indoors and refrain from traveling as the mercenaries' vehicles and equipment were being transported across the region.

Governor Alexander Gusev of Russia's Voronezh region has responded to the Wagner mercenary group's declaration to overthrow the military leadership. He strongly condemned any form of insurgency, emphasising that there can be no justification for such actions.

Gusev urges residents to maintain "remain reasonable and calm" during this challenging time. Additionally, he expresses unwavering support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, affirming that no situation should lead them to doubt the president's chosen path for Russia.
 

According to Kyiv, the mutiny of the Russian Wagner group has created a favorable situation for Ukraine. This comes weeks after Ukraine announced a counter-offensive against Russian forces. 

Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar stated that this development signifies a "window of opportunity" for Ukraine. She further added that Russia's military and political leadership are essentially fighting 'with' them and causing their own destruction. 
 

Wagner chief Prigozhin said that he was able to capture army HQ in south Russia 'without firing a single shot.' This comes as the Wagner Group leader said that his forces have been fired on by artillery and helicopters.

In response to Russia experiencing its first armed insurrection in decades, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his vigilance and communication with allies regarding the situation. Sunak, speaking in an interview in London, emphasised his primary concern for the safety of civilians and called upon all parties involved to act responsibly. 

EU Chief, Charles Michel, stated on Saturday that the European Union is carefully observing the developments in Russia following the rebellion led by the Wagner mercenary group. He further mentioned that the EU remains in contact with its G7 partners regarding the situation.

"Closely monitoring the situation in Russia as it unfolds. In touch with European leaders and @G7 partners", he tweeted adding, "This is clearly an internal Russian issue," he said."Our support for Ukraine and @ZelenskyyUa is unwavering."
 

Russia's orthodox leader Patriarch Kirill on Saturday called for "unity" in the country. 

"Today, when our brothers are fighting and dying on the frontlines... any attempt to sow discord within the country is the greatest possible crime that has no justification," Patriarch Kirill said in a statement and added, "I support the efforts of the head of the Russian state, aimed at not allowing turmoil in our country."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday asserted that the armed uprising initiated by individuals affiliated with the Wagner mercenary group showcased the inherent political instability within Russia.

"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 said and added, "Ukraine is able to protect Europe from the spread of Russian evil and chaos."

Significant developments are underway in Russia, with Russian Wagner mercenaries crossing over from occupied Ukraine into Russia to initiate a rebellion. 

Mykhailo Podolyak, a presidential aide, stated on Twitter that "everything is just beginning in Russia." He highlighted the evident divisions among the elites and emphasised that attempting to reach agreements and feigning resolution of the issues would not be effective, reported AFP. 

Yevgeny Prigozhin has issued a warning that they are heading towards Moscow in an attempt to take control. He claimed to have already seized the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and expressed his intention to remove the current military leadership.

In a video, Prigozhin can be seen sitting alongside Yunus Bek Yevkurov, the deputy Russian Federation Defence Minister, and Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev. "We came here and we want to get the Chief of Staff (Valery Gerasimov) and (Sergei) Shoigu (Russian Defence Minister). Until they come here, we will stay here, we will block the city of Rostov and go towards Moscow," he said. 

Ukrainian military intelligence representative Andriy Yusov said that the confrontation between Wagner and Putin is a sign of the collapse of his regime.

"First of all, it is necessary to understand that we are talking about an internal Russian conflict and confrontation, which is a direct consequence of the criminal military aggression of the Putin regime against Ukraine," said the representative of Ukrainian military intelligence.

He added that Ukraine is closely monitoring the developments taking place in Russia. 

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov called the armed rebellion a "heinous betrayal". He added that such actions cannot be justified and extended his full support to Putin. 

Speaking about the situation in Rostov, he said that the Ministry of Defence's fighters and the Russian Guard in the Chechen Republic have already left for the zones of tension. 

The Russian-installed heads of Ukrainian regions, which Moscow has occupied, extended their support for President Vladimir Putin as Russia faced armed mutiny by the Wagner group.  

"The Kherson region and the people of Kherson completely support our president!", said the Russian-installed head of Ukraine's southern Kherson region on Telegram.

The Kremlin-appointed head of the Zaporizhzhia region, which is partially under control of Moscow, Yevgeny Balitsky, said the territory was "with the president."

Residents in Rostov expressed their displeasure at Wagner group's mutiny. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin held telephonic conversation with Belarusian counterpaert Alexander Lukashenko.

"The President of Russia called the President of Belarus this morning, a telephone conversation took place. Vladimir Putin informed his Belarusian counterpart about the situation in Russia," the press service stated, according to Belarusian Media. 

The situation in Russia is being 'closely monitored' by French President Emmanuel Macron after an armed mutiny was launched by the Wagner mercenary group against the Kremlin's forces, said the French president's office on Saturday.

"The president is following the situation very closely. We remain focussed on supporting Ukraine," the Elysee stated.

Germany also said that it is 'closely following' events in Russia. "The government is closely following the events in Russia," he said.

British Ministry of Defence said that, in the wake of the rebellion,  "some Russian security services probably remained passive " which evokes " the most important challenge for the Russian state " in recent times.  

Wagner Group said Putin made the 'wrong choice' and soon Russia will have a 'new president'. 

After imposing a counter-terrorist regime in Moscow and the surrounding region amid an apparent mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group, Russian local officials said a military convoy was on the main motorway linking the southern part of European Russia, bordering Ukraine, with Moscow, and warned residents to avoid it.

Wagner group's Prigozhin for months was openly accusing Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, of rank incompetence and of denying Wagner ammunition and support in its battles in Ukraine.

Wagner chief Prigozhin, after being charged with armed mutiny, may potentially face up to 20 years in prison.
 

"Everyone who deliberately embarked on the path of betrayal will suffer inevitable punishment," Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We will not let the civil war happen again, we will protect our people and statehood," he added. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin termed Wagner group's rebellion a 'criminal campaign and treason' and blamed a 'number of opportunistic elements' for the move. "This is treason," Putin said.

Kyiv on Saturday said that ongoing events were "just beginning" in Russia, as Russian Wagner mercenaries crossed from Ukraine into Russia to stage a rebellion, 16 months into the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. 

"Everything is just beginning in Russia," presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter. "The split between the elites is too obvious. Agreeing and pretending that everything is settled won't work."

All public events in Moscow have been cancelled, as authorities declared an "anti-terrorist operation regime" in Moscow and the Moscow region.

"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 country's national anti-terrorist committee said in a statement quoted by Russian agencies.

Wagner chief Prigozhin issued first public address after reportedly taking control over Rostov-on-Don city. 

Prigozhin said that Wagner controls "the military facilities of Rostov, including the airport," but is not hindering operations towards war in Ukraine. “We do it in such a way that the attack planes do not hit us, but the Ukrainians."

Russian defence ministry appealed the rebelling Wagner troops to return to their permanent bases. It also warned Wagner fighters against being part of an 'armed coup', saying they have been deceived by Prigozhin's 'criminal adventure'

Key points from the Russian Defense Ministry statement:

- Many of Wagner members from several detachments have already realised their mistake, asking for help in ensuring that they can return safely to their permanent bases.

- The ministry have already provided such assistance to all of these fighters and commanders.

- The ministry ask to be sensible and get in touch with representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defence or law enforcement agencies as soon as possible.

- The Russian Defense Ministry guarantees their safety.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will address the nation shortly, Russian state media said.

Pro-Ukrainian social media accounts shared footage of Wagner columns on the road, claiming that they are headed towards Russia.

A Wagner Group military convoy left the city of Rostov and is reportedly heading towards the city of Voronezh.

Voronezh is 6 hours from Moscow by car.

Russian security forces entered the headquarters of Wagner Group in St Petersburg as faceoff between the Kremlin and the private militia it propped up continues to intensify.

Visuals going viral on social media show armed men entering the Wagner HQ in St Petersburg.

Yevgeny Prigozhin announced Saturday that he was inside the army headquarter in southern Russia's Rostov-on-Don and that his fighters control the city's military sites, including an aerodrome.

"We are inside the (army) headquarters, it is 7:30 am (0430 GMT)," Prigozhin said in a video on Telegram. "Military sites in Rostov, including an aerodrome, are under control," he added.

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said that a helicopter hit his units on a highway and threatened to “destroy everything”, in an audio message shared on his Telegram channel.

"One of the assault squads came under fire from the helicopters. The Wagner units are intact, the helicopter is destroyed and is burning in the forest,” said Prigozhin, adding that “we will take it as a threat and destroy everything around us.” 

The Russian authorities charged Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin with mutiny after he called on his troops to oust the country’s military leadership. 

The Wagner chief has been accused of "incitement to armed rebellion" after he asked Russians to join his 25,000 Wagner fighters against defence minister Sergei Shoigu and other top commanders. 

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Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin on Saturday said that "anti-terror" measures are being taken in the capital city after Wagner promised to bring down the military leadership of the country.

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

Anti-Kremlin figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky appealed Russians to extend their support to the mercenary group Wagner's chief who has vowed to bring down the military leadership of Moscow. 

"We need to help now, and then, if necessary, we will fight this one, too," Khodorkovsky, a former oil tycoon, said on social media.

He added that it was important to support "even the devil" if he is trying to take on the Kremlin. "And yes, this is just the beginning," he said. 

A fresh barrage of missiles was launched by Russia against Ukraine which caused casualties and damage, as per Ukrainian authorities.

In the city of Dnipro, "several houses were completely destroyed. Huge crater after the explosion", said mayor Borys Filatov on Telegram.

Air defences also "detected and destroyed more than 20 missiles in the airspace around Kyiv", stated Sergiy Popko, head of the Kyiv military administration.

Residents have been appealed by the Russian authorities in Rostov near Ukraine to stay home early on Saturday as the mercenary group Wagner's chief claimed his forces have marched in the southern border region.

"Law enforcement agencies are doing everything necessary to ensure the safety of residents," said Rostov governor Vasily Golubev on social media. "I ask everyone to stay calm," he added, appealing locals to stay home.

Mercenary group Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said that his 25,000-strong force was "ready to die" as he took the vow of toppling military leadership of Russia.

"All of us are ready to die. All 25,000, and then another 25,000," said Yevgeny Prigozhin in a new audio message. "We are dying for the Russian people," he added. 

Prigozhin, after claiming that his units had entered Russia, in a new audio message stated that the "helicopter has just now opened fire at a civilian column. It has been shot down by units of PMC Wagner."

Tightened security measures were announced by the Russian authorities in the Lipetsk region, which is located in the south of Moscow on Saturday. The step was taken after the chief of mercenary group Wagner stated that they have crossed the border from Ukraine.

"A decision has been taken to reinforce security measures in the region," stated Governor Igor Artamonov. "I ask everyone to remain calm," he added.

Military vehicles were seen in central Moscow in the early hours of Saturday (June 24) as security was stepped up at government buildings, transport facilities and other key locations in the Russian capital, according to the state news agency TASS, which cited a source at a security service.

Ukraine's air defence systems were at work in the capital Kyiv on Saturday, while explosions were also heard in the country's second city Kharkiv.

"Explosions are heard in Kharkiv," mayor Igor Terekhov wrote on social media, while authorities in Kyiv said that air defence systems were operating. No other details were immediately provided.

The White House was following the situation in Russia after the head of the Wagner mercenary group called for an "armed mutiny" against Moscow top brass, a spokesman said Friday, adding that President Joe Biden had been briefed.

"We are monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments," National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said.

Russia's prosecutor informed President Vladimir Putin of armed mutiny attempt, says Kremlin.

Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin  released a statement saying that the fighters will 'destroy everything' in their way.

Wagner's chief vowed to take all necessary steps to overturn the country's military leadership in Moscow, saying his forces would "destroy everything" in their way.

"We are going onwards and we will go to the end," Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a new audio message after vowing to sideline Russia's military leadership, adding that his forces had entered the southern Russian region of Rostov.

On Staurday, Russia said that Ukrainian troops were taking advantage of clash between the Wagner mercenary group and the Russian military to ready an assault near Bakhmut.

"Taking advantage of (Yevgeny) Prigozhin's provocation to disorganize the situation, the Kyiv regime near the Bakhmut front is concentrating units... for offensive actions," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement carried by news agencies.

Military vehicles have been spotted in Russia's Rostov as security tightened over Wagner 'coup', as per news agency Reuters. 

“This is a stab in the back of the country and the president,” Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev, the deputy head of Russia’s military intelligence agency, said in a video appeal to Mr. Prigozhin’s fighters, urging them to call off any rebellion as per NY Times reports. “This is a coup.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware of the situation that is unfolding around Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the private military company Wagner, and the necessary measures are being taken, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said as per news agency TASS. 

Russia said it would prosecute mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin for armed mutiny after he accused military leaders of killing 2,000 of his fighters, raising the stakes in a growing confrontation with top officials.

As per Russian state media TASS, the security measures in Moscow have been stepped up on Friday after Wagner chief accused military leadership of ordering strikes on their camps and killing a "huge" number of forces. 

Russia’s top commander in Ukraine, Sergey Surovikin, on Friday evening urged the Wagner  fighters to "stop" and to "obey the will" of President Vladimir Putin. 

"I’m addressing the leadership, commanders and fighters of Wagner. Together with you, we have traveled a difficult and hard path. We fought together, took risks, suffered losses and we won together. We are of the same blood. We are warriors. I urge you to stop, the enemy is only waiting for the internal political situation to worsen in our country," as per Russian state media reports.

"You can’t play into the hands of the enemy in this difficult time for the country. While it is not too late, please obey the will and the orders of the Russian Federation’s president that was elected by the masses," Surovikin said. "Stop the columns, bring them back to the points of permanent dislocation and communication areas... Solve all the problems peacefully under the leadership of the Commander in Chief of Russian Federation."

Russia, on Friday, accused mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin of calling for an armed mutiny after he alleged, without providing evidence, that the military leadership had claimed lives of 2,000 of his fighters and vowed to stop what he called its "evil".