Russian Mercenaries Ordered to Halt Advance on Moscow and Return to Ukraine, Says Wagner Chief

74

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the private Russian military force known as Wagner, announced on Saturday that he has instructed his mercenaries to cease their march towards Moscow and retreat to their field camps in Ukraine, in order to avoid shedding Russian blood. This development appears to have deescalated a rapidly intensifying crisis, which posed a significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s leadership, spanning over two decades.

To prepare for the potential arrival of the rebellious mercenary commander and his private army, Moscow had set up checkpoints with armored vehicles and stationed troops on its southern border. Red Square was closed, and the city’s mayor urged motorists to avoid certain roads.

Prigozhin stated that although his forces were a mere 200 kilometers (120 miles) away from Moscow, he made the decision to turn them back to prevent “shedding Russian blood.” It remains unclear whether Moscow has responded to his demand for the removal of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and there has been no immediate comment from the Kremlin.

The announcement followed a statement from the office of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, which claimed that a settlement had been negotiated with Prigozhin after discussions with Putin. According to Lukashenko’s office, Prigozhin agreed to halt the advance, and the proposed settlement includes security guarantees for Wagner troops, although no further details were provided.

In a televised address to the nation, Putin condemned the rebellion as a “betrayal” and “treason,” promising severe consequences for the organizers. A “counterterrorist regime” was declared in the capital and surrounding areas, resulting in heightened security measures and restricted movement. Checkpoints, sandbags, and machine guns were set up on the southern outskirts, and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin warned of potential traffic restrictions.

The situation took a significant turn as Prigozhin’s private army seemingly gained control of the military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, a city located 660 miles (over 1,000 kilometers) south of Moscow, which oversees Russian operations in Ukraine, according to the British Ministry of Defense. Wagner troops and equipment were also reported in Lipetsk province, approximately 360 kilometers (225 miles) south of Moscow.

The unfolding events occurred 16 months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, resulting in numerous casualties, the displacement of millions, and the destruction of cities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that Moscow was experiencing “full-scale weakness” and that Kyiv was protecting Europe from the “spread of Russian evil and chaos.”

Prigozhin, a former convict with close ties to Putin, has long been associated with the Russian leader and secured lucrative Kremlin catering contracts, earning him the moniker “Putin’s chef.” He gained attention internationally when he and a group of Russian nationals were charged with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at sowing discord before the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Prigozhin subsequently formed the Wagner mercenary group, which has been involved in conflicts in Libya, Syria, several African nations, and most notably, Ukraine.

As the situation continues to unfold, with its implications for the ongoing war, the international community closely monitors the developments. Western countries, including the United States, reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, while Latvia and Estonia, both NATO members neighboring Russia, bolstered security at their borders. Putin engaged in phone conversations with leaders from Turkey, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to discuss the events. Speculation about Putin’s whereabouts was denied by his spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Russian mercenaries

More about Russian mercenaries

• AP coverage of the war in Ukraine: Provides comprehensive coverage of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
• Wagner Group: Detailed information about the private Russian military force known as Wagner.
• Vladimir Putin: Background information on the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
• Yevgeny Prigozhin: Information about Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group and his connection to Putin.
• Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Background and analysis of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.