Vladimir Putin denounced “internal betrayal” in a televised address on Saturday, June 24, after the leader of the Wagner paramilitary group, Evgeny Prigoyine, claimed to have entered the Russian army headquarters in the city of Rostov. “This is a slap in the back to our people and our country,” added the Russian leader, promising that “those who consciously chose to vote for treason will be punished very quickly.” Yevgeny Prigoyine announced on Friday that he had entered Russia to overthrow the military command. Follow our live.
Of increased security measures in several Russian regions. The Russian capital, the Rostov region, neighboring Ukraine and Lipetsk announced increased security measures on Saturday. The authorities asked Rostov residents not to travel to the city center. Pictures and online publications show armed men near official buildings.
Russia fired a new volley of missiles at Ukraine overnight. In Dnipro, in the center, “several houses were completely destroyed. (…) There are victims,” Mayor Borys Filatov said in Telegram. In Kiev, the head of the capital’s military administration, Serguiï Popko, reiterated that anti-aircraft defenses had destroyed “more than twenty missiles in the airspace around Kiev”. However, debris fell, causing destruction, a fire in a 24-story building and injuries.
The Russian security service is launching an investigation into “call for mutiny”. The head of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner demanded that the Russian military high command “stop” after attacks on the camps of its fighters. Evguéni Prigojine also states that he has over 25,000 men and calls on the Russians, especially the soldiers, to join them. The Russian Security Service (FSB) then launched an investigation into “incitement to mutiny”.