8:22 a.m.: The “anti-terrorist operational regime” is established in Moscow (Russian authorities)
The “anti-terrorist operational regime” has been established in Moscow and its region, while Russia is being shaken by an uprising by the paramilitary group Wagner, the National Anti-Terrorist Committee said.
“In order to prevent possible attacks,” this regime was also established in the Voronezh region bordering Ukraine, according to a statement by the committee quoted by Russian news agencies. This measure strengthens the powers of the security services and allows them to restrict movements.
8:12 am: “Ukraine is watching with great interest what is happening in Russia,” explains our special envoy for Ukraine
7:58 am: Vladimir Putin will soon address the nation (Kremlin)
Russian President Vladimir Putin will address the nation “soon” as his country is rocked by an insurgency by the paramilitary group Wagner, the Kremlin has announced.
“Putin will give a speech soon,” presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news outlets.
7:04 am: Prigozhin says he is at military headquarters in Rostov inspecting military sites
The leader of the Wagner paramilitary group claims to be at the Russian army headquarters in the city of Rostov, a key center for the Russian attack on Ukraine, and to have taken control of military bases, including an airfield.
“We are at headquarters, it is 7:30 a.m.” (4:30 GMT), Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a video transmission on Telegram, “the military bases in Rostov are under control, including the airfield,” he adds behind him go men in uniform.
He assured that the military planes involved in the Russian offensive in Ukraine “usually” depart from the airfield to carry out their “combat duties” and reiterated that “there is no problem”. “The main command post is functioning normally,” he continued, assuring that “no officer posted there” has been suspended from duty.
“A large number of conquered territories” in Ukraine “are being lost” and “many soldiers are being killed,” he affirmed, again accusing the Russian army of not telling the truth about the situation on the forehead. The army is losing “up to 1,000 men a day”, including dead, wounded, missing or refusers, he assured.
05:44: Uprising in Russia: Increased security measures in several Russian regions
The Russian capital, the Rostov region, neighboring Ukraine and the Lipetsk region on Saturday announced increased security measures in the face of the insurgency by the paramilitary group Wagner.
“Because of the information [nous] “Anti-terrorist activities are ongoing in Moscow with the aim of strengthening security measures,” the capital’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote on Telegram.
In the south of the country, in the Rostov region, where the Wagner group is said to have invaded, calls have been made to stay at home.
“Police are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of residents in the area. [de Rostov]. I ask everyone to keep calm and not leave the house unless necessary,” Governor Vasily Golubev wrote on Telegram.
The authorities then asked the residents of the capital of the same name not to go to the city center. Pictures and online publications show armed men near official buildings.
5:33 a.m.: “A military coup,” according to our journalist Elena Voloshin
5:05 a.m .: The Russian opponent Khodorkovsky calls for the Wagner boss to “help” against Putin’s regime.
Russian opponent and businessman in exile Mikhail Khodorkovsky calls on the leader of the Wagner group Yevgeny Prigoyine in the uprising against the Russian army for help in the fight against Vladimir Putin’s regime.
“Yes, even the devil would have to help him if he decided to go against this regime! (…) If this bandit [EvguĂ©ni Prigojine] wants to disturb the other [Vladimir Poutine]”This is no time for a grimace, now we have to help,” he wrote on Telegram.
3:01 am: Wagner boss claims his forces shot down a Russian military helicopter
The leader of the Wagner paramilitary group, which has launched an armed uprising against the Russian general staff, said overnight his forces shot down a Russian military helicopter.
“At that moment, a helicopter opened fire on a civilian column, which was shot down by Wagner’s units,” Yevgeny Prigoyine said in a new audio message, without specifying the location of the incident.
AFP could not confirm the veracity of these comments.
2:30 a.m.: Anti-aircraft defense deployed in Kiev, explosions in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine
Explosions erupted overnight in Kyiv and Kharkiv, authorities in both cities said, as all of Ukraine was on alert for impending Russian attacks. “The air defenses in the capital are working,” the Kiev military administration said on Telegram.
Then Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported about “explosions” in the Solomiansky district. “All services [de secours] are sent to the crime scene,” he added.
“Explosions can be heard in Kharkiv,” said Igor Terekhov, mayor of the country’s second largest city.
Finally, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that missiles were flying in particular towards the Sumy, Poltava and Dnipro regions.
1:54 am: Putin is “continuously informed” by the security services (Kremlin)
The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “continuously informed of developments” following the announcement of an armed uprising by the leader of the paramilitary group Wagner.
“The special services, the law enforcement agencies, that is, the Ministry of Defense, the FSB (security services), the Ministry of Interior, the National Guard, continuously inform the President about the measures taken to implement the instructions given to them,” presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies .
1:50 a.m.: White House monitoring situation in Russia, Biden keeping in touch (Narrator)
The White House is monitoring the situation in Russia after the Wagner paramilitary group’s uprising against the Russian General Staff, a spokesman said, adding US President Joe Biden will be kept informed.
“We are monitoring the situation and will be discussing these developments with our allies and partners,” said Adam Hodge, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.
1:45 a.m.: Wagner vows to “go all the way,” says to enter Russia
The leader of the Wagner paramilitary group, which was rebelling against the Russian military command, vowed to “go all the way” and “destroy anything that gets in their way,” and said his troops had invaded Russian territory.
“We continue, we will go to the end,” Yevgeny Prigoyine said in an audio message on Telegram after announcing that his armed forces “(…) crossed the border of the Russian state while deployed in Ukraine.” had. EvguĂ©ni Prigojine claims to have 25,000 fighters.
Wagner’s boss did not provide any evidence to support these claims and AFP could not confirm the veracity of these remarks.
00:37: Ukrainian troops are preparing to attack, using “the provocation” of the chief of Wagner (Moscow).
Russia claimed Ukrainian troops are preparing to attack near the town of Bachmout and are “exploiting” the chaos caused by the Wagner squad leader’s call for an uprising against the Russian General Staff.
“The Kiev regime is taking advantage of Prigozhin’s provocation to destabilize the situation and is regrouping units of the 35th and 36th Marine Infantry Brigades for offensive actions,” said a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry in the Bakhmout area, armed forces with aviation and artillery.
00:03: An influential Russian general calls on the Wagner group to “stop” before it is “too late”.
Influential Russian General Sergey Surovikin on Friday urged Wagner Group fighters to “stop” and return to their barracks “before it’s too late” after their leader Yevgeny Prigoyine called for a rebellion against the military leadership.
“I address the fighters and leaders of the Wagner group (…) We are of the same blood, we are warriors. I [vous] asks you to stop (…) Before it’s too late, we must obey the will and order of the President-elect of Russia,” he said in a video broadcast by a journalist from Russian state television on Telegram.
The Russian Security Service (FSB) has launched an investigation into “incitement to armed mutiny” after the leader of the Wagner group called for an uprising against the military command, which he accuses of bombing his men.
“President (Vladimir) Putin is aware of all events surrounding (Evgeny) Prigoyine. The necessary measures will be taken,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by the agency. Cup.
With AFP and Portal