Who didn't see this coming? Tensions between Prigozhin's Wagner mercenaries and the Russian army have finally boiled over into a full-blown coup attempt. Just how far they'll get with that remains to be seen but with at least 90% of the Russian army stuck in Ukraine with Putin's folly the Russians are dangerously exposed - against other Russians.
President Putin has vowed to crush the armed rebellion, calling the recent events a "stab in the back" and "treason" in a 5-minute address to the nation.
Source: Reuters
ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia, June 24 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to crush what he called an armed mutiny after the private army of mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin seized control of a southern city as part of an attempt to oust the military leadership.
In Russia's first armed insurrection since the Chechen wars 20 years ago, heavily armed fighters from Prigozhin's Wagner militia were in control of the streets of Rostov-on-Don, a city of more than a million people close to the border with Ukraine.
Prigozhin said he had captured the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District there after leading his forces into Russia from Ukraine. The city serves as the main rear logistical hub for Russia's invasion force.
Residents milled about, filming on mobile phones, as Wagner fighters in armoured vehicles and huge battle tanks took up positions in the city centre.
A Russian security source told Reuters that Wagner fighters had also taken control of military facilities in the city of Voronezh, further north on the road towards Moscow.
A few hours ago Prigozhin released this video.
And this, in the last hour. Apparently, the Russians must be liberated from themselves.
