MOSCOW – Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, made a startling announcement on Saturday, stating that he and his 25,000 fighters had crossed into Russia with the intention of toppling the country’s military leadership.
In an audio message, Prigozhin declared, “All of us are ready to die. All 25,000, and then another 25,000. We are dying for the Russian people.”
His actions have prompted authorities to tighten security measures in several regions, and Moscow’s mayor announced the implementation of “anti-terrorist” measures in the capital.
The FSB security service has accused Prigozhin of instigating a “civil conflict” and urged Wagner fighters to detain him.
Prigozhin’s audacious challenge to President Vladimir Putin since the start of the Ukraine offensive last year has caused shockwaves.
He claimed that his forces had entered the southern Russian region of Rostov and had even shot down a Russian military helicopter.
However, no concrete evidence has been provided to support these claims, and their veracity remains unverified.
Reports from Rostov indicate that armed individuals have surrounded administrative buildings, and tanks have been deployed in the city centre.
It is unclear who these armed men are, raising concerns and prompting authorities to advise residents to stay home.
In Moscow, critical facilities are under “reinforced protection” as a precautionary measure, according to the TASS state-run news agency.

The Kremlin has been closely monitoring the situation, with Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov informing President Putin of the initiation of a criminal case in connection with an attempt to organise an armed rebellion.
The Russian defence ministry has denied Prigozhin’s claims of an attack on his forces, stating that they do not correspond to reality.
The ministry further asserted that Ukrainian troops were taking advantage of the internal conflict to prepare an assault near the eastern Ukrainian hotspot of Bakhmut.
Sergei Surovikin, commander of Russia’s aerospace forces, issued a rare video address urging Prigozhin to halt his efforts to remove the defense ministry leadership.
He emphasized the importance of obeying the will and orders of the popularly elected President of the Russian Federation.
While the situation unfolds, international actors are closely monitoring the developments.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an anti-Kremlin figure, has called on Russians to support Prigozhin, stating that it is acceptable to back “even the devil” in challenging the Kremlin.

The United States, represented by President Joe Biden, has been briefed on the situation and plans to consult with allies and partners regarding these developments.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, once operating in the shadows, has now openly admitted his role in leading the Wagner mercenary group and interfering in US elections.
Wagner played a significant part in Russia’s capture of the town of Bakhmut in Donetsk, a battle marked by its length and intensity.
Prigozhin has recently accused Moscow’s top brass of deceiving the Russian public about the Ukraine offensive, leading to a bitter power struggle between him and the defence ministry.
As tensions continue to rise and the situation remains fluid, questions surround the future course of events and the potential impact on both Russia and Ukraine.
The international community watches with heightened concern as the conflict unfolds, assessing the implications and repercussions of Prigozhin’s bold move.