Prigozhin and his men took over the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District during the night (between Friday and Saturday). Videos from the scene show Prigozhin talking to the Russian deputy defense minister who was at the scene, General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, and the deputy head of military intelligence, Vladimir Alexeev. Prigozhin demands that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov be accepted for talks.
Prigozhin also claims that Wagner forces intercepted three helicopters sent to stop their convoys. "Until they get here, we block Rostov and continue to Moscow," Prigozhin said. The deputy head of intelligence, General Lieutenant Vladimir Alexeev, who the night before had recorded an appeal to Wagner's men to stop, says in response to Prigozhin's desire to receive Shoigu and Gerasimov: "Take them!" and laughs.
Prigozhin (center) talks with army generals at the headquarters they took over | Wagner's Telegram channel
Meanwhile, photos from the city of Rostov (1.1 million people) show that Wagner and his men took control of it and blocked the exit and entrance routes. Residents of the city and a prominent local Telegram channel, 161, report that Wagner operatives maintain the government building, the police and PSB headquarters, and, as mentioned, the headquarters of the military district.
A Kremlin spokesman said Putin would soon address the nation. Moscow's Defense Ministry issued an appeal to Wagner's men urging them to lay down the damage, promising amnesty. In Moscow, the city and the district, a special situation was declared, according to the format of thwarting an attack. Prigozhin, for his part, claims that his men do not interfere with the military command from conducting the war on the front, and that once their goals are achieved, Wagner's men will return to it.
A state of emergency was also declared in Voronezh Oblast, which borders Rostov Oblast to the north. Preparations seem to be being made for Wagner's advance to Moscow.
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