Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has no intention of backing down. He says this in response to Putin's speech in which the Russian president called him a traitor - without, incidentally, uttering Prigozhin's name.
In a statement, Prigozhin now seeks a head-on confrontation with Putin: 'No one will turn himself in at the request of the president, the FSB or anyone else, because we do not want the country to live on in corruption, deceit and bureaucracy.' Putin had called on Wagner fighters to lay down their arms. Whereas earlier Prigozhin said he was not out to overthrow Putin and his regime, these words do seem to imply that he is pursuing something similar. Moreover, this is the first time he has spoken out directly against Putin. Prigozhin's harsh criticism previously focused only on the army leadership and the defence ministry.
According to Governor Alexander Goesev of Russia's Voronezh region, "necessary operational and combat measures" are being taken in his region. The area, which borders northeastern Ukraine, is said to have been invaded by Wagner. Earlier today, Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said measures would be taken in the region.
Voronezh is located on the important M4 highway. That runs from Rostov-on-Don to Moscow. Russian citizens are urged to avoid the M4. Roadblocks were reportedly set up by the Russian army at several places.
What is certain is that Wagner is present in Rostov and that Wagner boss Prigozhin has announced he will march on Moscow if his demand that Russian Defence Minister Shoygoe and commander Gerasimov meet him in Rostov is not met.
Putin called the President of Kazakhstan Tokayev. Tokayev stated that the events taking place are an internal matter of Russia. This was reported in the press service of the President of Kazakhstan.
https://twitter.com/Flash_news_ua/st...54234691178496 Karma?
A column of mercenaries from the Wagner group has moved past the city of Voronezh, some 500 kilometres south of Moscow, an eyewitness tells Reuters news agency. Among other things, the column was said to be moving in an armoured vehicle. The report has not yet been confirmed by independent sources, but is in line with other reports placing the Wagner group now far north of Rostov-on-Don. Earlier, a source within the Russian security services reported to Reuters news agency that the Wagner group had taken military facilities in Voronezh. That report, too, has not yet been independently verified. Images are also circulating of a Russian helicopter being shot at near Voronezh, presumably by a Wagner missile system.
Ukrainian President Zelensky argues that President Putin brought Wagner boss Prigozhin's rebellion upon himself. "Anyone who chooses the bad path destroys himself," he writes in his first personal reaction to the situation in Russia. "For a long time, Russia has used propaganda to cover up its own weakness and the government's stupidity. Now there is so much chaos that no lie can hide it anymore."
Zelensky writes on Twitter that it is clear that Russia is weak. "And the longer Russia has troops and mercenaries in our country, the more chaos, pain and problems the country itself will go through later. That is also clear." According to the Ukrainian president, Putin has sent hundreds of thousands into the war and he and his allies are now entrenching themselves in the Moscow region. Zelensky also cited Putin's reference to revolution year 1917. According to Zelensky, Putin has always feared a repeat of that history, but cannot do anything to prevent such an outcome.
Chefs Special - Documenting Equipment Losses During The 2023 Wagner Group Mutiny
This list only includes captured and destroyed vehicles and equipment of which photo or videographic evidence is available. Therefore, the amount of equipment captured and destroyed is likely significantly higher than recorded here. Losses claims by fighterbomber, a Telegram channel operated by a Russian Air Force pilot, are also considered as sufficient evidence of Russian aerial losses. Aircraft and helicopters captured by Wagner at Rostov-on-Don North are currently not included in this list. Civilian vehicles and derelict equipment are not included in this list.
https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/0...equipment.html
The Prigozhin Coup seems pretty damn well organized
OK we are about 12 hours into what is clearly an attempt by Yevgeny Prigozhin to topple the leadership of the Russian military (and very possibly the Russian government). This all started with an announcement by Prigozhin yesterday that the Russian army had launched a missile attack on a Wagner baseand it has snowballed exponentially since then... At first this attempt by Prigozhin seemed almost impulsive and bound to fail (and it still mightand probably should if the Russian army stays loyal to Putin). However, what does seem to be the case now is that this is a well-planned operation that has been a while in the making and has a greater chance of success that certainly I would have thought yesterday. If you look at the timing, the placement of Russian forces, the areas that Prigozhin has seized, and the fact that Putin was clearly caught of guard, you can see this. If you dont mind, I thought I would talk a little bit about why I think it is well organized and could succeed.
Timing: This is a perfect time for Prigozhin to take this risk. Almost all of Wagner has pulled out of Ukraine over the last month and was back in Russia itself (or overseas). This means that he has a ready supply of rested forces (some with real combat experience). Ive seen regular estimates of 20k to 30k Wagner personnel who are now under his authority, and they seem (despite all of his constant complaints) to be pretty well equipped. I mean, they have already shot down at least one Russian army helicopter and one aircraft. This does not happen by accident.
https://phillipspobrien.substack.com...tty-damn?sd=pf
Key to success is the refusal by the police and military, as occurred in Rostov, to restore order and defend the Putin regime. "Why does the country support us? Because we are taking a step towards justice," Prigozhin said in a message on Telegram. "We entered Rostov and without a single shot being fired, we took control of the military headquarters building."
We might actually see Wagner fighters in Moscow during the evening! Looks like this operation is called "Moscow in 3 days"