Russian capital is gearing up
Armored Wagner battle groups roll towards Moscow
06/24/2023 11:06 am
Wagner mercenaries are moving north in the Voronezh district, according to the British Ministry of Defense. They are most likely to move to Moscow. According to British secret services, their uprising is the “greatest challenge” for the Russian state in recent times.
Several combat units of the Wagner mercenary group are apparently on their way to Moscow. According to the latest information from the British Ministry of Defense, armed groups with armored vehicles were already in the Voronezh district, which is about 500 kilometers south of the Russian capital Moscow, in the early morning. According to an insider, the fighters have already taken control of all military installations in the city of Voronezh, 500 kilometers south of Moscow. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz reports that the associations are traveling on the M4 motorway from Rostov-on-Don in the direction of Moscow.
The strategically important city in the south, around 1000 kilometers from Moscow, is de facto under the control of the mercenary group. In his morning speech, President Vladimir Putin confirmed the blockade of important objects in Rostov-on-Don. “In fact, the work of the civil and military leadership is blocked,” the Kremlin chief said in a speech to the people. Regarding the situation, the Rostov region bordering Ukraine, he said: “It remains difficult.” Earlier, Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin had announced that his fighters had taken control of important military objects in Rostov, including an airfield.
The Ministry of Defense in Moscow called on the mercenaries to surrender. In view of the armed uprising, Putin spoke of “treason” and called for the masterminds to be eliminated. Anyone who takes up arms and organizes an armed uprising will be punished. Putin called on the Wagner fighters to immediately end their participation in criminal activities. Prigozhin was previously considered a confidant of the president.
Decisive in the next few hours
So far, however, the mercenaries have been able to continue on their way, as reported by ntv correspondent Munz. Meanwhile, reports are circulating on Twitter that Russia is conducting airstrikes against the approaching mercenaries. Videos of burning vehicles on the M4 are shown. It is currently not possible to verify whether these are current clips. According to Munz, preparations for a possible attack by the mercenaries are underway in the capital. “Important buildings in the city are specially protected.” Armored vehicles could be seen in the city at night, and planes were also flying over the city. The next few hours will be crucial for Munz. “How is the Russian army reacting? Are there defectors? Or will they turn against Wagner?” Munz sees the city on the brink of civil war. The situation is “highly dramatic”.
Russia announced massive security measures for Moscow and the surrounding region on Saturday morning. “Anti-terrorist measures have been taken to prevent possible terrorist attacks in Moscow city and the Moscow region,” the state counter-terrorism agency said. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin campaigned online for understanding of the measures and said they were intended to “enhance security”. There are additional controls on the streets, and major events in the capital can be limited, he explained.
According to British secret services, the uprising of the mercenary force is the “greatest challenge” for the Russian state in recent times. “In the coming hours, the loyalty of the security forces and especially the Russian National Guard will be crucial to the course of the crisis.” So far there is only “very limited evidence” of fighting between Wagner and security forces. This indicated that some Russian troops probably remained “passive” and gave way to Wagner.