Russia is set to prosecute mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin for armed mutiny after he accused military leaders of killing 2,000 of his fighters.
Russian generals call for Wagner troops to “come to their senses”
Russian generals released videos urging Wagner Group troops to lay down their arms “before it’s too late.”
A video posted online by Gen. Sergey Surovikin, who led all Russian forces in Ukraine until January, called Prigozhin an “enemy” who is “waiting for the domestic political situation in our country to worsen.” Russian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries, meanwhile, “are of the same blood,” he added.
Those marching on Russia needed to “obey the will and order of the popularly elected president of the Russian Federation, stop the columns, return them to their permanent deployment points and concentration areas, solve all problems only by peaceful means,” Surovikin said.
Another video posted online described the actions as a “stab in the back of the country and the president” by Gen. Vladimir Alekseev.
As a fighter alongside them since 2014, he urged them to come to their senses.
“This is a coup d’état,” he said.
There is now the possibility of a confrontation between Wagner’s mercenaries and Russian troops, analysts say.
Yevgeny Prigozhin said the “evil” in the military leadership must be stopped and vowed to “march for justice”.
It represents an escalation of infighting inside Russia more than a year after the war in Ukraine began.
#BREAKING Prigozhin publishes his statement, says Russian Army shelled Wagner's camp, says he is moving his units to Moscow to "punish" the military, "restore justice", urges military not trying to stop his units, threatens to kill anyone who will try.pic.twitter.com/0Tp0yW7O5E
In an audio message posted to the social media platform Telegram, he said “huge numbers” of his fighters had been killed in a strike by the Russian military.
“Those who killed our lads, and tens of thousands of lives of Russian soldiers [in the war in Ukraine] will be punished,” he said.
“I ask you not to resist. Anyone who does will be considered a threat and destroyed. That goes for any checkpoints and aviation on our way.
“Presidential power, the government, the police and Russian guard will work as usual.
“This is not a military coup, but a march of justice. Our actions do not interfere with the troops in any way.”
“Tanks on the streets”
There is an increased military presence on the streets of Moscow amid tensions with the Wagner Group.
Senior American intelligence official tells Jim LaPorta, a reporter at The Messenger, that Wagner Group is preparing to mobilize and it is believed they want to ‘head towards Moscow’
BREAKING: Increased military vehicle presence in parts of Moscow amid tensions with Wagner Grouppic.twitter.com/yd1zsegrQA
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) June 23, 2023
As a long-running standoff between him and the Defence Ministry appeared to come to a head late on Friday, the ministry issued a statement denying Prigozhin’s accusations and denouncing them as “informational provocation.”
Kyiv, meanwhile, said the major thrust in its counteroffensive against Moscow’s invasion had yet to be launched. “The main blow is still to come,” Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar told Ukrainian television.
This is downtown Moscow right now. Operation "Fortress" in response to Wagner PMC declaring a civil war on the Kremlin. pic.twitter.com/pfjwymuXbI
A top Ukrainian general reported “tangible successes” in advances in the south – one of two main theatres of operations, along with eastern Ukraine.
Growing resentment
Russian forces there have been fighting alongside mercenaries from the Wagner private military company, whose leader Prigozhin vowed to stop what he called the Russian military’s “evil”. He denied his actions amounted to a coup.
However, Russia’s FSB security service opened a criminal case against him for calling for an armed mutiny, the TASS news agency said, citing the National Anti-terrorism Committee.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the developments and “necessary measures are being taken”, Interfax news agency said, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Security was stepped up on Friday night at government buildings, transport facilities and other key locations in Moscow, the state news agency TASS reported, citing a source at a security service.
“Obey the President”
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.
“I urge you to stop,” Surovikin said in a video posted on Telegram, his right hand resting on a rifle.
The standoff, many of the details of which remained unclear, looked like the biggest domestic crisis Putin has faced since he sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February last year.
The Kremlin has also said “necessary measures are being taken”, according to Russian news agency Interfax.
Israel launches pre-emptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites amid fears of retaliation and imminent threats, urging citizens to seek shelter.
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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has urged citizens to stay near bomb shelters amid fears of Iranian retaliation, while the Israeli Defence Forces coordinate closely with the United States, citing an imminent nuclear threat.
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Trump declares new trade deal with China “done,” featuring rare earth material supply and China retaining student visas, pending Xi’s approval.
President Donald Trump says a new trade deal with China is “done,” following intense negotiations in London.
The agreement includes China’s pledge to supply critical rare earth materials to U.S. companies, while the U.S. will drop plans to revoke Chinese student visas.
The deal still awaits final approval from President Xi Jinping, but it could mark a turning point after months of tariff tensions.