Russia's FSB opens criminal case against Wagner chief for armed mutiny

Prigozhin on June 23 accused the Russian military of "destroying" his fighters, without fully explaining his accusation, and vowed to stop the "evil" of the military leadership.

 

President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the developments and "necessary measures are being taken," the Interfax news agency said, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

 

Earlier, the founder of the Wagner PMC announced that he was going to "restore justice" in the army and in Russia as a whole and called for "no resistance".

"Anyone who resists, we will consider it a threat - and destroy them immediately. Including any roadblocks in our way. I ask everyone to remain calm, not to give in to provocations, stay in their homes. Preferably stay indoors along our route," he said.

"There are 25 thousand of us and we are going to find out why there is lawlessness in the country. The 25 thousand are waiting as a tactical reserve, while the strategic reserve is the entire army and the entire country. Everyone who wants to join in. We must put an end to this outrage," Prigozhin said.

 

Moscow’s critical facilities have been put under reinforced protection, and security measures in the capital have been increased, a source in law enforcement agencies told TASS. According to the source, Russian National Guard special units were put on full alert.

Car traffic has been blocked on Russia’s M-4 highway past Rostov-on-Don towards Aksay, according to TASS reported at the scene. All cars moving from Rostov-on-Don towards Aksay are being redirected back to the city, and police checkpoints have been reinforced.

Checkpoints have been established near the Southern Military District headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, with military and law enforcement upholding the public order. Military checkpoints have been established on streets adjacent to the headquarters, with numerous police cars; an armored personnel carrier was spotted near the headquarters building. The city’s central streets are being patrolled by police cars; aircraft were heard in the air in Western parts of the city. No security agency has provided any official comments yet.

Meanwhile, the situation at the "Wagner PMC Center" building in St. Petersburg remains calm, there are no Russian National Guard employees or employees of other security services, according to a TASS reporter. Security detail on duty debunked reports of searches in the building.

Crimean authorities urged residents to only trust official information due to intensified activities of Ukraine’s Informational and Psychological Operation Center (TSIPsO).