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The mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin dared an armed uprising against Putin. Apparently he stopped his troops 250 kilometers from Moscow.
What’s going on in Russia? The power struggle between the Russian military contractor Yevgeny Prigozhin and the state leadership has escalated. The head of the Wagner troops had crossed the border to Russia with his mercenaries from the Ukraine on Saturday night and called for an uprising against the army leadership in Moscow. An anti-terror emergency was declared in Moscow.
The mercenaries of the Wagner troops move towards Moscow: the pictures
Where are the Wagner troops located? Prigozhin’s Wagner troops have been occupying the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don since Saturday morning. Prigozhin controlled all of the city’s military facilities: “We control Rostov’s military facilities, including the airfield.” According to Russian security circles, the Wagner troops also controlled the city of Voronezh, around 500 kilometers from Moscow, on Saturday afternoon. They were on their way towards Moscow and came up to 250 kilometers from Moscow. According to Prigozhin, on Saturday evening he stopped advancing on Moscow and ordered his troops back to the barracks.
What does Prigozhin want? The mercenary boss is in a power struggle with the Russian Ministry of Defense. The order was recently issued that all voluntary organizations, including mercenary troops, in Russia should be contractually bound to the Ministry of Defense by the end of June in order to put their existence on a legal footing. Prigozhin does not want to sign because, in his eyes, it would mean submission. This is probably why Prigozhin made the decision to take action against the military.
How does Putin react? Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of “treason” in a televised speech. Putin said anyone who takes up arms and organizes an armed uprising will be punished. The Kremlin chief called on the Wagner fighters to immediately end their participation in criminal activities. “The situation in Rostov is difficult,” Putin admitted. But you will win. An investigation into an attempted armed uprising was launched against Prigozhin. The domestic secret service FSB called on the Wagner mercenaries to arrest Prigozhin.
How is Ukraine reacting? In Ukraine, recent developments in the neighboring country are being followed closely. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized: “Anyone who chooses the path of evil destroys himself.” The armed uprising is a clear sign of Putin’s weakness, Zelensky wrote. «For a long time Russia used propaganda to cover up its weakness and the stupidity of its government. And now the chaos is so great that no lie can hide it.” A leading adviser to the Ukrainian President is convinced: “The next 48 hours will decide on the new status of Russia,” said Mykhailo Podoliak. In any case, someone has to lose, either Prigozhin or his opponents: “Everything is just beginning in Russia”.