Russia-Ukraine Live Updates: Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group pull out of the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to base, in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023. (Reuters)Russia-Ukraine Highlights: Heavily armed Russian mercenaries who advanced most of the way to Moscow halted their approach, de-escalating a major challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power, in a move that their leader said would avoid bloodshed, Reuters reported.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former Putin ally and founder of the Wagner army, said his men reached within 125 miles (200 km) of the capital on Saturday. Earlier, Moscow deployed soldiers in preparation for their arrival and told residents to stay indoors. Soon after, they began withdrawing from the Rostov military headquarters they had seized. Prigozhin will move to neighbouring Belarus and not face prosecution, the Kremlin said.
How did it all start? The conflict between Moscow’s military leadership and Prigozhin, the chief of private mercenary group Wagner, escalated into an open insurrection on Saturday. The Wagner chief accused Russia’s military leadership of killing a “huge amount” of his mercenary forces in a strike on a camp and vowed to retaliate. Security forces have been scrambled across western Russia as regional governors urged residents to stay off the roads, and a “counterterrorist operation regime” was declared in Moscow.
North Korean state news agency, KCNA, reported that North Korea's vice foreign minister, Im Chon Il, believed firmly in Putin and the Russian military's ability to put down the Wagnar mutiny successfully. Im Chon Il further expressed his support for any decision that the Russian administration have taken in order to crush said mutiny.
A Reuter's tweet shows that Russian mercenaries, the Wagnar soldiers, have returned to base post negotiations and deal with President Putin.
Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State, has spoken out about yesterday's Wagnar mutiny against Russia, and its subsequent recession.
Blinken, according to AFP, said that the situation showed "real cracks" in the Russian administration.
He further said that the Wagnar group's rebellion posed a "direct challenge to Putin's authority," and it "raises profound questions," revealed CBS News.
In an interview with the BBC's Radio 4, Sergei Markov (who was President Putin's former adviser, and is a political scientist) admitted to 'some crisis' in the Russian government. He further said that the Russian government, as a result of these developments, might not be in complete control. In the interview, Markov commented on how Putin ought to change his governance policies and that the Wagnar mutiny could have resulted in a "big civil war"
A top Russian diplomat flew to Beijing for talks with the Chinese government on Sunday, just a day after a rebellion by a Russian mercenary commander fizzled out.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to discuss “international and regional issues of common concern,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a one-line statement on its website.
China has not officially commented on the crisis in Russia. The United States and other Western powers have urged China not to supply Russia with arms that could be used in the Ukraine conflict. China in May sent an envoy to Ukraine and Russia in an attempt to mediate talks to end the war.
Mikhail Kasyanov, Russia's former PM under Putin (who was ultimately fired) spoke out against the Russian president in relation to the Wagnar coup. A staunch critic of President Putin, Mikhail Kasyanov, in an interview with the BBC, said that this is " "the beginning of the end... he's in very big trouble right now."
Kasyanov further expressed his view that President Putin should not be forgiven for this and the Wagnar coup has affected Putin's political stability.
With the Wagnar mercenaries pulling out from Russia territories, Lipetsk (about 300km south of capital Moscow) is the latest region which has witnessed the group's withdrawal.
Other than this, the group has also been seen withdrawing from the Voronezh district.
In a tweet shared by AP, it said that despite coming to a deal of exile from Russia with President Putin, there has been no news yet of Wagnar Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin arriving in Belaruse.
Russia’s capture of Bakhmut, Ukraine, in May, ended the longest battle of the war, marking a victory for Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner paramilitary group.
For Prigozhin, whose mercenaries led the assault on Bakhmut, capturing the eastern Ukrainian city appeared to be a personal obsession. One facet of the battle’s legacy will be the public feud it set off between him, the man once known as “Putin’s chef,” and the Russian defense ministry. We explain
The situation around the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don was calm and street traffic resumed, RIA state news agency said on Sunday after Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenaries left the city.
In a video on the agency's Telegram messaging app, which it said was taken in the city of Rostov-on-Don, a man was sweeping a street and cars were moving along another street. (Reuters)
American intelligence officials briefed senior military and administration officials on Wednesday that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the mercenary Wagner Group, was preparing to take military action against senior Russian defense officials, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The US spy agencies had indications days earlier that Prigozhin was planning something and worked to refine that material into a finished assessment, officials said. Read more
For more than a year, US officials have quietly asked themselves a question they would not dare pose in public: Could Russia’s botched invasion of Ukraine eventually lead to the downfall of Russian President Vladimir Putin?
For a few chaotic, head-snapping hours this weekend, the notion did not seem so far-fetched. But even with the apparent end to the immediate threat posed by Yevgeny Prigozhin’s rebellious mercenary army, the short-lived uprising suggested that Putin’s hold on power is more tenuous than at any time since he took office more than two decades ago. From the New York Times
In what was the most significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s two-decade rule in Russia, mercenary commander and head of Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin on Saturday, June 24, led an armed mutiny into the capital Moscow, before an abrupt reversal later in the day averted a full-blown insurgence. Top 10 development we know so far
Wagner Group, and its founder and leader Yevgeny Prigozhin find themselves at the centre of a so-called “coup” in Russia. Born on June 1, 1961, in Leningrad, USSR (now St Petersburg, Russia), Yevgeny Prigozhin is one of Russia’s richest and most influential men.
Prior to his rise as a businessman , however, Prigozhin reportedly spent a decade in prison. As per The Guardian, he was implicated in a number of robberies in early 1980, while still a teen, and sentenced to 13 years in prison. He would get out in 1990, as the Soviet Union verged on collapse. We explain
As Russia’s President Vladimir Putin faces what he called was an “armed mutiny” from the Wagner group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin — before the mercenary group turned back later in the day, following a deal brokered by Belarus — Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Saturday briefed by senior officials on the developing situation in Russia, sources said.
Modi was briefed on the developments on his plane from Washington DC to Cairo by senior officials, including diplomats accompanying him, who are well-versed with Putin’s Russia and the situation there, sources said Shubhajit Roy reports
In a dramatic escalation in tensions between the Kremlin and the mercenary Wagner Group, President Vladimir Putin on Saturday accused the Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head and owner of the group, of carrying out a “criminal adventuristic campaign” and an “armed mutiny” against the country’s Army. Labelling all those who “took up arms against the Army” as “traitors”, Putin added, “It is an attempt to subvert us from inside. This is treason,” Sky News reported. We explain!
Good morning, readers! It's 8 am and here's what you need to know about the latest crisis in Russia.
? Rebellious Russian mercenary commander Yevgeny Prigohin who ordered his troops to march on Moscow before abruptly reversing course will move to neighboring Belarus and not face prosecution, the Kremlin said Saturday. This is part of a deal to defuse a crisis that represented the most significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power.
? The charges against Wanger chief Prigozhin for mounting an armed rebellion will be dropped and the troops who joined him also will not be prosecuted, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced, and fighters from his Wagner Group who did not take part in the uprising will be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry.
? Earlier, Putin had vowed to punish those behind the armed uprising led by his onetime protege, whose forces seized a key military facility in southern Russia before advancing on the capital. In a televised speech to the nation, Putin called the rebellion a “betrayal” and “treason.”
? After the deal was struck, Prigozhin announced that while his men were just 200 kilometers (120 miles) from Moscow, he had decided to retreat to avoid “shedding Russian blood.”
? This development comes a year and a half after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe's largest conflict since World War II, which has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions and reduced cities to rubble.
Heavily armed Russian mercenaries who advanced most of the way to Moscow but retreated late Saturday night, have de-escalated a major challenge to President Vladimir Putin. This fueled market volatility in the country,
Here are the reactions from investors and analysts as complied by Reuters.
? Quincy Kroshby, Chief Global Strategist at LPL Financial: "Markets typically do not respond well to events that are unfolding and are uncertain,' particularly relating to Putin and Russia. If the uncertainty escalates, you're going to see Treasuries get a bid, gold will get a bid and the Japanese yen tends to gain in situations like this."
? Gennadiy Goldberg, Head of US rates strategy at TD Securities in New York: "It certainly remains to be seen what happens in the next day or two, but if there remains uncertainty about leadership in Russia, investors may flock to safe havens. I suspect that even though it seems the leadership challenge in Russia has been de-escalated, investors may remain nervous about subsequent instability, and could remain cautious. Of course we will continue to watch how things evolve over the next few days."
? Alastair Winter, Global Investment Strategist at Argyll Europe: "Uncertainty over various bad outcomes in Russia, as this looks like, means a stronger USD and possibly JPY now that Japan seems to be back in favor".
? Rich Steinberg, Chief Market Strategist, The Colony Group: "Some frayed nerves were calmed in the short run' by the de-escalation, and 'the markets will kind of treat this as another geopolitical risk. Safe haven assets may not react because Wagner forces did not reach Moscow and inflame the situation"
? Steve Sosnick, Chief Strategist at Interactive Brokers: "This is a truly exogenous event that leads to initial shock and a flight to safety. It should awaken VIX from its stupor. First move is likely to be a bump in government bond prices (lower yields) and USD. Riskier assets tend to decline. The question is how much and how lasting the reaction will be, much of which depends upon unknowable developments." -- Reuters
President Vladimir Putin of Russia always seemed to thrive on chaos. Now it threatens to consume him. For the past few months, as the mercenary chieftain Yevgeny Prigozhin escalated his feud with the Russian military, Putin did not publicly reveal any discomfort with his diatribes.
The silence fostered the kind of political ambiguity that has long been a trademark of Putin’s rule: a management style in which he appeared comfortable with conflicts among the elite because they kept potential rivals in check, while underscoring that ultimate authority always rested with the president himself. From the New York Times
All restrictions that were previously imposed on highways in Russia have been lifted, the TASS news agency said early on Sunday, citing the Federal Road Agency.
After Wanger chief Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered his fighters to halt their march on Moscow, the Kremlin said that charges against him will be dropped and the troops who joined him also will not be prosecuted. Fighters from his group who did not take part in the uprising will be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry, it added.
Heavily armed Russian mercenaries who advanced most of the way to Moscow halted their approach, de-escalating a major challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power, in a move that their leader said would avoid bloodshed, Reuters reported.
Good morning! Welcome to today's live blog. We bring you the latest updates on Wanger chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's coup attempt against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Stay tuned! :)
Mutinous Russian mercenary fighters who surged most of the way to Moscow have agreed to turn back to avoid bloodshed, their leader said on Saturday, in a de-escalation of what had become a major challenge to President Vladimir Putin's grip on power.
According to Reuters, the fighters of the Wagner private army run by former Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin were already most of the way to the capital, having captured the city of Rostov and set off on an 1,100 km (680 mile) race to Moscow.
In an audio message, Prigozhin said the fighters would return to base because of the risk of blood being spilled.
A deal to halt further movement of Wagner fighters across Russia in return for guarantees of safety for the rebels was brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, his office said.
Earlier, Prigozhin said his men were on a "march for justice" to remove corrupt and incompetent Russian commanders he blames for botching the war in Ukraine.
In a televised address from the Kremlin, Putin said Russia's very existence was under threat.
As mutinous Russian mercenary fighters barrelled towards Moscow on Saturday after seizing a southern city overnight, with Russia's military firing on them, President Vladimir Putin has vowed to crush the armed mutiny he compared to Russia's Civil War a century ago. This is the first serious challenge to his grip on power of his 23-year-long rule.
In case you are reading in now, here’s what has happened so far:
? In a dramatic escalation in tensions between the Kremlin and the mercenary Wagner Group, President Vladimir Putin has accused the Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head and owner of the group, of carrying out a “criminal adventuristic campaign” and an “armed mutiny” against the country’s Army.
? The fallout began after the Wagner chief, in a series of recordings released on social media, claimed that the Russian military launched a missile strike on his men. He, however, didn’t give any evidence. Prigozhin has vowed in the messages to punish “those who destroyed our lads.”
? The confrontation marks the most dramatic threat to the Russian president’s power since he took over leadership in 1999, and comes at a moment when forces in Ukraine have begun a counteroffensive to take back territory.
? The fighters of the Wagner private army were already most of the way to the capital, having captured the city of Rostov and set off on an 1,100 km (680 mile) race to Moscow. The mayor of Moscow has called on people to refrain as far as possible from trips around the city, given a counter-terrorism operation had been declared, and said the situation was “difficult”.
? The Wagner group chief has said that he is in Rostov-on-Don, in southern Russia, close to the Ukraine border, and that his forces have control of military facilities and the airfield there. He pledged to blockade Rostov and move on to Moscow if Russia’s Defence Minister and top general did not meet with him in the city. The Wagner group further informed that it had also taken control of Russian military facilities in the city of Voronezh, in southwestern Russia.
The White House said that US President Joe Biden spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK PM Rishi Sunak, regarding the ongoing intra-Russia conflict and they affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine. Biden was briefed about the unfolding situation in Russia by his national security team on Saturday morning, the White House said, adding that the president will continue to be briefed throughout the day.
After declaring Monday as a non-working day and cautioning residents from trips around the city, Moscow governor has suspended mass events outdoors and at educational institutions until July 1.
As per a statement issued by the foreign ministry, France has advised against all travel to Russia, Reuters reported.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Saturday asked people to refrain from trips around the city as far as possible and using their cars amid the counter-terrorism operation in Moscow and the surrounding region that authorities introduced earlier Saturday. While announcing that Monday would be a non-working day for most people, with the exception of public servants and employees of some industrial enterprises, he noted that all key city services were put on high readiness and advised residents to report any emergencies.
Former president Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia would not allow a mutiny led by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin to turn into a coup or a global crisis, reported state mews agency TASS on Saturday. Answering questions from journalists, Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said the whole world would be on the brink of catastrophe if Russian nuclear weapons fell into the hands of "bandits".
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, known for his resilience amidst chaos, now faces its overwhelming grip, posing a threat to his stability. (Read further)
Spokespersons of Mali and Central African Republic declined to comment on the ongoing Wagner mutiny in Russia, as the forces from the mercenary group have played an increasingly central role in long-running internal conflicts in these countries. Both nations have sought closer ties with Russia and military support to fight the militants, saying in the past that their military cooperation agreements are with Russia rather than with Wagner. (Reuters)
In order to "minimise risks", Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin declared that Monday will be a non-working day in the Russian capital. He further said that a counter-terrorism regime has been announced in the city and the situation is difficult. Sobyanin on Saturday asked people to refrain from trips around the city as far as possible given a counter-terrorism operation had been declared and said the situation was "difficult." u26a1ufe0f#Moscow mayor said Monday will be a non-working day “to minimize risks,” Russian state media reported.“The situation is difficult, and a counter-terrorism regime has been declared in the Russian capital.” pic.twitter.com/f8d88xwXJZ— KyivPost (@KyivPost) June 24, 2023
A statement from the foreign ministry of the Kingdom of Bahrain today said that the island country is following developments in Russia and stressed the importance of maintaining stability under "President Vladimir Putin's leadership".
As the Wagner troops pass through Lipetsk on their way to Moscow, local authorities in the province dug trenches on the road on local highways that connect villages and setllements with the disrict center, as reported by Kyiv Post.
Russia's foreign ministry on Saturday issued a statement, warning Western countries against using the Wagner mercenary group's mutiny "to achieve their Russophobic goals". It argued that the mutiny plays into the hands of Russia’s enemies and said that the Russian public stands behind President Vladimir Putin.The ministry said that Moscow appreciates its allies and partners voicing their understanding of the situation.(Reuters)
Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group stand guard outside the headquarters of the Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023. (Photo/REUTERS/Stringer)
Security in a number of Russian regions around Moscow was tightened as authorities sought to thwart an armed rebellion spearheaded by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. The governor of the Kaluga region, which borders the federal area of the Russian capital cautioned restricted movement on the region's roads and in the areas bordering nearby Tula, Bryansk, Oryol and Smolensk regions. (BBC)
Latvian President-elect Edgars Rinku0113viu010ds said that though there is no direct threat to his country, they are closely following developing situation in Russia and exchanging information with allies. "Border security has been strengthened, visa or border entry from Russians leaving Russia due to current events won't be considered. No direct threat to Latvia at this time," he tweeted. Latvia had already last year stopped issuing new visas to Russian citizens, but it had until now made an exception for humanitarian visas, reported The Guardian.Latvia is closely following the developing situation in Russia and exchanging information with alliesBorder security has been strengthened, visa or border entry from Russians leaving Russia due to current events won’t be consideredNo direct threat to Latvia at this time— Edgars Rinku0113viu010ds (@edgarsrinkevics) June 24, 2023
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that he has been briefed about the armed mutiny in Russia and will continue to closely monitor the events unfolding. 'The Incident Response Group will meet today to discuss the latest developments. We’re in contact with our allies...,' he said.
Russia has reportedly promised amnesty to Wagner mutineers if they lay down their weapons, provided they act fast, as per TASS news agency.
Formally known as the PMC Wagner, the mercenary organisation came into existence in 2014, during Russia's annexation of Crimea. OTher than Ukraine, its influence is spread across the African continent and West Asian countries, where it has provided mercenaries to various governments and led social media disinformation campaigns. (Find out more)
Governor of Russia's Lipetsk province Igor Artamonov said that the Wagner mercenary group has entered the region and is moving equipment in the region.
Wagner group's challenge to the Russian military leadership has many pro-war activists in the country alarmed, at the swift pace of unfolding events. Unverified reports of Russian city captures, artillery and air strikes, coupled with claims of casualties among Wagner troupes has added to the confusion, raising alarm.
Yevgeny Prigozhin's extraordinary journey from a decade in a Leningrad prison to becoming "Putin's chef" and a prominent figure in Russia has been marked by meteoric rise. However, he is now embarking on a confrontational path against his longtime friend and supporter. (Know more)
As Wagner mercenary group convoys continue their 'march of justice' to Moscow, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken discussed the Russia situation with G7 foreign ministers and EU high represnetatives on Saturday. 'The United States will stay in close coordination with Allies and partners as the situation continues to develop,' he tweeted. He also reiterated that "support by the United States for Ukraine will not change."
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed a law permitting 30-day detentions for breaking martial law in places where it has been imposed, the RIA news agency reported.
Voronezh, on the banks of Voronezh River, is a regional capital that lies halfway between Rostov and Moscow. Roughly the same size as Rostov, it is a major railway hub near the Ukraine border.
As the Wagner mercenary group makes its way to Moscow, all flights from the Russian capital have been reportedly sold out, said The Guardian reported. As per reports in a German news magazine tickets for direct connections from Moscow to Tbilisi, Astana and Istanbul are no longer available.
Belarus has reaffirmed alliance with Russia and released a statement amid the ongoing armed Mutiny raged by the Eagner mercenary army. The Security Council of Belarus said that Minsk remains an ally of Russia and internal disputes were "a gift to the collective West."
Russian President Vladimir Putin called up his counterpart in Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, who has expressed support for the Russian leadership. Putin spoke to Uzbek, Belarus and Kazakhstan leaders earlier today. (Reuters)
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke to her G7 counterparts regarding the ongoing militray crisis in Russia, said a ministry spokesperson and further added that the crisis team of the government is slated to meet soon.
Wagner chief Progozhin confirmed reports in Russian media regarding the raid on his St. Petersburg office. He further said that the boxes of cash found in vehicles near his office in St Petersburg by the FSB security service were to cover salaries and other expenses for his Wagner fighters.
Russian soldiers on Saturday set up a machine gun position on the southwest edge of Moscow, evident in photographs published by a Russian newspaper.
Referring to the armed mutiny by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, Head of Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service Sergei Naryshkin, said that an attempt to "destabilise society and ignite a fratricidal civil war" had failed, reported TASS news agency
Wagner chief Yevgeny Progozhin said that his forces have been fired on by artillery and claims to have taken control of Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don without firing a single shot, reported Reuters.
The pro-war Russian nationalist group 'Club of Angry Patriots' led by former FSB security service officer Igor Girkin said that they will soon publish a plan of action for Russian Patriots. He further added that a meeting of 'patriotic' forces of Russia will be convened on Sunday to assess the current situation. Issuing a warning that Russia is on the brink of a catastrophe, he said that a civil war could lead to a humiliating war defeat in Ukraine.
The governor of the Lipetsk region - located between the city of Voronezh and Moscow - has asked people to avoid travelling and stay at home, reported the BBC. "The situation is under control, but requires understanding on the part of every inhabitant of the region," he said a statement, as a wagner convoy was reported to be passing through Lipetsk.
The British government's emergency committee, COBR (aka COBRA) is meeting to discuss the ongoing situation in Russia, reported the BBC. COBR is the top-level coordination and decision-making body in Britain, convened in the event of major or catastrophic emergencies.
Russian army helicopters opened fire on a Wagner military convoy on M4 highway outside Voronezh, Reuters reported, citing a witness.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has urged the international community to “abandon false neutrality” and "give Ukraine all needed weapons". "Those who said Russia was too strong to lose: look now... Time to put an end to the evil everyone despised but was too afraid to tear down," he tweeted.