On a frosty Friday evening, an unprecedented storm hit the snowy streets of Russia. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the powerhouse behind the private military contractors of Wagner Group, made a fiery declaration of armed rebellion against the Russian government, ushering in a fierce conflict that set the world on edge.
This unexpected rebellion has drawn a battle line between the forces loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the warriors of the Wagner Group. The first shots were fired under the cover of the night, painting the Russian skyline in fiery hues. Several Wagner soldiers fell in these attacks, sparking a deadly retaliation.
Soon after, an ominous cavalcade of Wagner troops and tanks emerged in the heart of the Russian city of Rostov, a key logistical nerve center for the ongoing war in Ukraine. The chilling sight of armored vehicles snaking through the city streets, witnessed by thousands of civilians, was a terrifying testament to the brewing conflict.
BREAKING: Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin seen passing through Russian checkpoints and meeting with senior Russian military members.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 24, 2023
In a video posted to Telegram Prigozhin announced: “We are inside the (army) headquarters, it is 7:30 am (04:30 GMT).”
“Military sites in Rostov,… pic.twitter.com/8z4miM2Q0k
🚨COUP UPDATES: Wagner with the National Guard & Russian Military TAKE OVER Russian Military HQ In Rostov
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 24, 2023
Tensions rise in Russia as the Southern Russian Military District Headquarters in Rostov is surrounded by armed military personnel.
The surrounding military personnel,… pic.twitter.com/69WUy9jvCx
Civilians live-streaming the Wagner Group’s assault on the headquarters of the Russian Defense Ministry in Rostov.#WagnerCoup #WagnerGroup #Russia #RussianCivilWar #RussiaUkraineWar #Putin #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/6MPHJk9kIp
— Gazetteller (@ethanwh1te_) June 24, 2023
Prigozhin, a figure of dominance and defiance, appeared at the Southern Russian Military District Headquarters, a location now surrounded and held by the Wagner forces. His grim promise of marching towards Moscow sent shivers down the spines of Russian officials unless Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russian Armed Forces chief Valery Gerasimov yielded their positions.
The Wagner Group’s leader boldly asserted that the Russian losses in the Ukraine war had been grossly downplayed by the government. According to Prigozhin, the real casualty count was three to four times higher than the numbers being bandied about by Kremlin officials. His audacious claims went so far as to accuse Gerasimov of fleeing at the mere mention of the Wagner forces.
While Putin stood in the face of this storm, his resolve unbroken, he fired back at Prigozhin and his mercenaries. He characterized their actions as nothing short of treason, pointing to an outside influence orchestrating this destabilizing insurrection. He drew parallels with the Bolshevik revolution, insinuating a western hand in the unfolding chaos.
Putin’s address echoed with stern warnings and ominous predictions. He branded the Wagner leaders as “traitors” and promised a retaliation that would shake the very foundation of their rebellion.
Full translation of President Putin's speech out now. He strongly condemns #Wagner /Prigozhin's actions as acts of treason and orders an immediate cessation to the military insurrection. #PutinSpeech #EndRebellion pic.twitter.com/n55nNPAaL2
— Gazetteller (@ethanwh1te_) June 24, 2023
As the tectonic plates of power shift in Russia, a fierce battle has erupted between the forces loyal to Putin’s government and Wagner contractors. Reports of two Russian electronic warfare helicopters being shot down by Wagner forces surfaced on Saturday morning, further fueling the fire of this conflict.
Undeterred, Wagner troops, armed with cutting-edge air defense weapons, are reportedly advancing towards Moscow. They have marked their presence in the city of Voronezh, claiming to have captured all military installations and coercing hundreds of Russian forces into surrender.
Simultaneously, the Russian military is preparing to defend their ground. Roadblocks are being set up on the outskirts of Moscow, and airstrikes on the critical M4 highway leading to the capital city have been reported.
Roadblocks are being set up by the entrances to Moscow.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 24, 2023
Russia is on edge after the Wagner Group launched a military coup earlier today.
pic.twitter.com/2xH2R0W687
As the situation develops, the question remains – who will emerge victorious from this titanic clash of power?
Will Putin’s regime stand tall in the face of rebellion, or will the Wagner Group rewrite the history of Russia?
Only time will tell.
Heavy Wagner convoy with active air defense in Voronezh Oblast, moving with at least one Pantsir-S1 SAM system, Strela-10 SAM system, and multiple BMPs and tanks (T-72B3, T-80BV) loaded on equipment haulers. pic.twitter.com/pWiJKf4vcq
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 24, 2023
⚡️#BREAKING Photo confirms that Wagner indeed downed a Russian helicopter pic.twitter.com/WV906GgWnw
— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) June 24, 2023
