Yevgeny Prigozhin called for a rebellion against the army on June 23rd, and urged the army not to resist, calling it a "march of justice”. This came after Prigozhin claimed that Wagner military sites in Ukraine were attacked by Russian artillery on Chief of General Staff Gerasimov's orders after a meeting with Defence Minister Shoigu, where they decided to eliminate Wagner. 

Wagner forces have been vital in Russia's Ukrainian war, capturing the city of Bakhmut. However, Prigozhin has repeatedly criticised Russia's military leaders for incompetence and neglecting his troops' needs.

Russian government response

• Immediately after, security services called for the arrest of Prigozhin. Security was heightened in Moscow and in Rostov-on-Don (“Fortress operation”).

• Putin denounced a “treason” and “mutiny” but denies calling it a military coup.

• A counter-terrorism regime was introduced in Moscow, the Moscow region and Voronezh region (9AM BTS).

• Governors of Sverdlovsk and Bryansk regions introduce high alert regime - Russian media (12PM BTS)

Military developments

Rostov-on-Don

• Evening of 23rd: Wagner surrounded military HQ and the city of Rostov-on-Don, “no resistance from Russian military” and in spite of alleged roadblocks put in the place by the military (tweet)

• Announcement of Prigozhin from the HQ of the Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don which Wagner PMC now fully control (video). He states that he has full control of the military installations to ensure that the Russian air force are attacking Ukrainians, and not Wagner troops. He calls for Shoigu and Gerasimov to be given up by the Russian authorities.

• A Wagner convoy near Voronezh controls the Don highway (video).

• Wagner installs mine barriers made of TM-62 anti-tank guns in Rostov-on-Don.

• Wagners are mining the streets of Rostov-on-Don, setting up roadblocks and firing positions, Russian public media reports, citing eyewitnesses at the scene (video).

Voronezh

• Wagner column seen 2 km from Buturlinovka, Voronezh region (video).Voronezh is located between the Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don and Moscow. So as  Wagner forces are expected to head towards Moscow, Russian Air Forces are allegedly attacking Wagner convoys along the M4 highway (other source).

• At the Bugaivka border crossing in the Voronezh region, another 180 Russian soldiers and law enforcement officers agreed not to interfere with the Wagner action and laid down their arms. It is not the only report made by Progozhin about the support from the Russian border control officers’ side.

• The battle was filmed in the Voronezh region. Judging by the sounds in the video, there was an active firefight between the Russian army and Wagner (around 9am BST). https://t.me/lachentyt/30933.

• The road towards Voronezh is heavily damaged (Telegram post with video). It is reported that the Russian Armed Forces were shooting. The video shows that a civilian car was damaged.

• Images of Russian soldiers surrending in Voronezh.

• Heavy convoy in Voronezh, at 9:30 BST, the convoy is about 445km from Moscow.

• Another video showing column moving towards Moscow

• In Rostov, explosions ripped through the headquarters of the Southern Military District (around 12 BST).

• Explosion 1672544456929693696 - geolocated

Moscow

• The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation take up positions near the bridge over the Oka River near Serpukhov, where the M2 "Crimea" highway runs towards Moscow (around 10:00 BST).

• Checkpoints with APCs have been set up at the entrance to Moscow, local media reports say.

• The movement of the Wagner military column towards Moscow (11:30 BST)

• Video confirmation of Counter-Terrorism Committee (branch of the FSB) buildup in Moscow

  • Translation: “I have a dream in which Moscow is burning. Good luck, not a step back” (Sheik Mansur Battalion)

Unconfirmed (mainly happening in the Voronezh region)

• A warplane, likely a transport aircraft, was shot down over Voronezh. So far, it looks like Wagner was responsible. Allegations that the plane was carrying hundreds of Kadyrov soldiers.

• Oil depot in Voronezh was bombed by a helicopter (video, video). The attacker responsible for the fire in unknown.

• The Wagner PMC destroyed 4 helicopters of the Russian Armed Forces and one AN-26/Su-25 (other video, video, video)

• A military convoy wan noticed moving towards Krasnodar.

• Medvedev and his family have allegedly escaped from Moscow?

• Situation updates

• Map of Wagner progress

Other actors:

• Ramzan Kadyrov - Head of the Chechen Republic - supports Putin and calls Wagner’s operation a military coup.

• Fighters from the Storm-Z group endorsed Prigozhin & are willing to join Wagner if they require their assistance. On June 19th, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced it was replacing the Wagner Group convict troops with its own Storm-Z battalions and Chechen special forces. This initiative sparked allegations of the “Russian army 'on verge of civil war'.

• Kalinowski's Regiment prepares an address to the Belarusian people at 17:00 Minsk time. (The Kastusia Kalinouski Regiment (Polk Kastusia Kalinouski) is a volunteer regiment (formerly a battalion) formed in February 2022 to defend Ukraine against Russian invasion)

• Russian Volunteer Corps is interested in the developments and asks Russian people share the footage with the location of checkpoints, equipment to their Telegram bot.

• Sheik Mansur Battalion - Reports of increased tension in the Republics of Chechnya and Ingushetia as orders restricting movement outside of the regions are put into effect - Source

Translation - “Collaborators of the occupied Checnya and Ingushetia start to fuss. Orders are being received not to move outside the republics, even if neigboring regions ask for it. Fear…tremble enemies of the freedom-lovers

You can send photos/video information showing roadblocks, equipment and other attempts of the regime to defend itself to the bot of our channel.

We are most interested in Moscow, Rostov and Voronezh.

Reaction:

- Дума statement:

 “The history of Russia has shown that external challenges and threats have united our society. Together we are able to overcome any difficulties.

The problems and troubles of the country have always occurred only because of betrayal, internal division and betrayal of the elites.

The deputies of the State Duma, representing the interests of the citizens of the Russian Federation, advocate for the consolidation of forces, support President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin — our Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

The Wagner fighters must make the only right choice: to be with their people, on the side of the law, to protect the security and future of the Motherland, to carry out the orders of the Supreme Commander.

Anything else is a betrayal!

We are confronted by a common external enemy that promotes the ideology of Nazism — destroys Russian citizens, threatens the security of our country.

In this situation, it is necessary to unite even more and do everything to win”

Ukrainian reaction and comments:

• Moscow is preparing for a siege. The city is virtually isolated by police and military units. All military equipment that has remained in reserve and border regions is being moved to Moscow - the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

• Security forces have received permission to:

• Listen to any conversations and checking correspondence

• Conduct detentions and searches without additional approvals

• Forceful access to private and official premises

• Use motor vehicles of citizens and organisations

• Disconnect all types of communication

• "Removal of individuals from areas and objects".

  • Published: around 12:15 BTS.