The “anti-terror regime” established in Moscow and its region after the Wagner paramilitary group mutined remains in force despite the reversal of the uprising leader Yevgeny Prigoyine on Sunday.
• Also read: Wagner ends his uprising and withdraws from his positions in Russia
• Also read: “Anti-terrorist activities” are ongoing in Moscow.
• Also read: Moscow warns the West against wanting to “exploit” the situation
Large police patrols are still on duty along the main road leading out of Moscow to the south of the capital, an AFP journalist noted.
In the Moscow region, according to a statement by the Avtodor agency, traffic restrictions were also maintained on Sunday on the highway between Moscow and Rostov (southwest), where the Wagner rebellion took control of the military headquarters on Saturday and then withdrew from it, responsible for Highways in Russia.
The National Counter-Terrorism Committee (NAC) on Saturday ordered an “anti-terrorist operational regime” in Moscow, its region, as well as in the Voronezh region bordering Ukraine, after Yevgeny Prigozhin announced a march of his fighters in the Russian capital .
This regime gives the police expanded powers, particularly to conduct police operations.
Important sections of the Rostov-Moscow highway have been closed and identity and vehicle checks have been introduced on the roads.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin decreed that Monday was a day off due to the “difficult” situation.
On Saturday evening, after negotiations with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Evguéni Prigojine announced that his men were “returning” to their camps to avoid “a bloodbath”.
It was unclear on Sunday where Mr. Prigozhin was after his fighters withdrew from Rostov. The Kremlin said he had agreed to travel to Belarus and the charges against him were dropped.