‘It’s scary’: Ordinary Muscovites react to news of Prigozhin military coup attempt as flights from Russian capital sell out
- Muscovites have expressed their fear as Wagner rebels approach the city
Ordinary Muscovites in the capital reacted to the news of Prigozhin’s attempted military coup – when armored cars were spotted on the streets of the Russian capital.
Flights out of the city were reportedly sold out when the Wagner group arrived. The German news site Der Spiegel claimed that tickets for direct connections from Moscow to Tbilisi, Astana and Istanbul are no longer available.
Google Maps appears to be showing road closures on the M4 south of Moscow – the route the Wagner rebels are taking.
A resident named Nikolai said: “Of course it’s scary.”
‘You sit at home thinking about what could happen.’ It’s troubling for both you and your loved ones.’
Ordinary Muscovites in the capital reacted to the news of Prigozhin’s attempted military coup – when armored cars were spotted on the streets of the Russian capital. Pictured: People face metal barriers when visiting Red Square in Moscow today
A man waves a Russian national flag near Red Square in Moscow today
One woman wrote on Twitter: “I’m in Moscow right now.” The battle between rebels and the Russian army has begun. There was a massive explosion near our house. I’m afraid for my family. Please help us.’
Moscow-based Sergei said: “I think everything will be fine, but if they prepare to come in.” [anti-terror measures] then it says there is a reason for it.’
A woman in Moscow, Galina, said: “No, it doesn’t scare me at all.”
“I have faith in our President and our people.”
Military trucks and armored vehicles were seen in central Moscow today, and soldiers with assault rifles were at work in front of the main building of the Defense Ministry. The area around the presidential administration near Red Square was closed and there were traffic delays.
But despite the increased military presence, downtown bars and restaurants were overcrowded. At a club near the FSB headquarters, people were dancing in the street near the entrance.
Armored vehicles are considered security measures in Moscow
Addressing the Russian people today, Putin warned that military leader Prigozhin has “stabbed him in the back” as Moscow is under lockdown and troops are advancing in preparation to defend the city.
Prigozhin and his feared 25,000-strong Wagner militia control the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and say they are “ready to die” while vowing revenge for a military strike by Putin’s troops, which the mercenary leader says some of them his men were killed.
Meanwhile, rumors circulated that a presidential plane linked to Vladimir Putin had flown north from Moscow towards Tver and turned off its transponder, according to multiple reports.
More business jets were spotted flying out of the capital towards St. Petersburg.
Previously, there were reports from the Ukrainian secret service that Putin flew by helicopter from Moscow to his palace in Valday between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
It comes as a sinister message was posted on the Wagner Telegram channel on Saturday, which read: “Putin made the wrong choice.” All the worse for him.
“Soon we will have a new president.”
Sources close to Putin claimed he works in the Kremlin – an unusual place for him, except for brief visits.