Wagner Group Russia Coup: Prigozhin's Wagner Group mercenaries leave Rostov | Putin prepares Moscow defence
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his country is fighting "the toughest battle for its future" as Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leads an armed rebellion.
Russia rebellion LIVE: Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leads an armed rebellion against Putin
Key Events
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his country is fighting "the toughest battle for its future"
- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he is in touch with allies
- The Government's emergency Cobra committee is expected to meet to discuss the situation.
RISHI SUNAK 'IN TOUCH WITH ALLIES' ABOUT WAGNER GROUP REBELLION IN RUSSIA
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he is in touch with allies about the armed rebellion led by the Wagner mercenary group in Russia, which UK defence officials have described as "the most significant challenge" to the Kremlin in recent times.
President Vladimir Putin called the actions of the private military company a "betrayal" and vowed to defend Russia, after mercenary chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, vowed to topple Moscow's military leadership.
The Prime Minister urged all parties involved to protect civilian lives, as he indicated he will speak to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenksy and other western leaders later on Saturday.
The Government's emergency Cobra committee is expected to meet to discuss the situation.
"We're keeping a close eye on the situation, as it's evolving on the ground as we speak," Mr Sunak told the BBC.
"The most important thing I'd say is for all parties to be responsible and to protect civilians, and that's about as much as I can say at this moment."
Asked whether he had spoken to Mr Zelenksy, Mr Sunak said: "I'm in touch with our allies.
Who is the Wagner Group? Where is Rostov and why has the Wagner Group launched a coup?
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Anton Gerashchenko has tweeted:
Anton Gerashchenko is advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
📸 Members of Wagner group sit on the sidewalk as they patrol the center of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023. President Vladimir Putin on June 24, 2023 said an armed mutiny by Wagner mercenaries was a "stab in the back" and that the group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had betrayed Russia, as he vowed to punish the dissidents. Prigozhin said his fighters control key military sites in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don.
Another update from Anton Gerashchenko.
There appears to be some confusion over where Putin currently is.
The Prime Minister declined to say whether it is good or bad news that Mr Putin is being challenged.
Pressed on advice for British citizens remaining in Russia, Mr Sunak said the UK has "had long-standing travel advice against travel to Russia" and "people should keep checking the Foreign Office website for updates".
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly tweeted that "we are monitoring the situation carefully and liaising closely with our allies" and "we continue to urge British citizens to follow FCDO travel advice".
Earlier, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that "over the coming hours, the loyalty of Russia's security forces... will be key to how the crisis plays out" as Wagner forces appear to be moving towards the Russian capital.
In its latest intelligence briefing, the department said the feud between the Wagner group and the Russian defence ministry "escalated into outright military confrontation" in the early hours of Saturday.
"In an operation characterised by Prigozhin as a 'march for freedom', Wagner Group forces crossed from occupied Ukraine into Russia in at least two locations," the MoD said.
It said that in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, "Wagner has almost certainly occupied key security sites", including the Russian military headquarters that oversees the fighting in Ukraine.
"Further Wagner units are moving north through Vorenezh Oblast, almost certainly aiming to get to Moscow. With very limited evidence of fighting between Wagner and Russian security forces, some have likely remained passive, acquiescing to Wagner.
"Over the coming hours, the loyalty of Russia's security forces, and especially the Russian National Guard, will be key to how the crisis plays out.
"This represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times."
Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has denied President Vladimir Putin's allegation of betrayal, calling his Wagner Group fighters patriots.
Russia Wagner coup: Rishi Sunak and Scottish politicians speak on rebellion against Vladimir Putin
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