Yevgeny Prigozhin’s march stopped 200 km from Moscow. After months of increasingly fierce criticism of military institutions, Wagner boss addressed the challenge directly to Vladimir Putin, invading Russian territory with his militias seemingly and unbelievably unopposed. Until he announced his withdrawal in the evening “to avoid a Russian bloodbath”.
It was a dramatic day for Russia and the world, as the country looked poised to plunge into civil war. In a speech to the nation this morning, the Kremlin chief described Prigozhin’s actions as a “stab in the back” of troops fighting in Ukraine. While the secret services accused him of instigating an “armed civil war”. He didn’t say exactly what he wanted, but few believe in individual action, while several observers say they are convinced a political showdown is at stake in which Prigozhin is a mere pawn.
ANSA. it
Trucks and Armored Vehicles on City Streets (ANSA)
After last night accusing the Moscow army of bombing his men’s positions, the Wagner boss announced this morning that he had captured and taken possession of the city of Rostov-on-Don, the main center near the Ukrainian border, without firing a hit at the airport, military headquarters and the internal intelligence agency FSB. The situation became increasingly dramatic as the hours passed, as local authorities announced an advance north by just over 20,000 Wagner militiamen, with no one intervening. First the Voronezh province, then the Lipetsk province, about 450 kilometers south of Moscow. In the evening, when the capital now seemed to be in sight, things turned around.
ANSA agency
A video released by Gray Zone, a Telegram channel close to the Wagner Group, shows Yevgeny Prigozhin in Rostov-on-Don holding talks with Colonel-General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister (ANSA).
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko negotiated “all day and in agreement with Putin”, whereby Wagner’s boss would receive “absolutely advantageous and acceptable guarantees” in exchange for the departure of his men. With Prigozhin himself, who immediately announced the U-turn and the return of the militiamen to their base camps in the south of the country. Guarantees, later announced by the Kremlin itself, which translate into assurances that Wagner’s fighters will not be prosecuted and that the criminal investigation into Prigozhin, who, according to the Kremlin, which was keen to clarify, will again travel to Belarus, will be dropped how that will happen. The failed uprising will “in no way affect” the Russian offensive in Ukraine.
ANSA agency
A large oil depot is on fire in Voronezh. According to the governor of the region Alexander Gusev, quoted by Tass (ANSA)
Putin appeared on television for just five minutes this morning, accusing his (former?) ally of “betraying” personal ambitions. “All those who have chosen the path of treason will be punished and held accountable,” warned the president, apparently alluding to the possible role of others than Prigozhin. The latter had replied that Putin was “deeply wrong” and warned that none of his men would capitulate. Subsequently, some websites spread rumors that Putin had fled Moscow, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov flatly denied them.
Authorities blocked Wagner’s social media accounts, but not on Telegram, where Prigozhin continued to publish his proclamations undisturbed. Not against Putin personally, but against Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov. While Chechen commander Ramzan Kadyrov assured that he was ready to lend his forces to “crush” the uprising. As the day progressed, nervousness grew in Moscow regarding Wagner’s possible arrival. Police forces were deployed nervously in city centers while videos broadcast on Telegram channels showed armored vehicles entering the capital from the south. Mayor Sergey Sobyanin called on the population to limit travel and announced that Monday would be a day off. The State Department instead reported that Russia warned Western countries against exploiting the crisis to “achieve their Russophobic goals” and reiterated that the operation in Ukraine is ongoing and that “all goals will be achieved.” Putin thanked Lukashenko again for the mediation and “for the work done”. .