24-6-2023 (MOSCOW) In response to the violent unrest triggered by the Wagner mercenary force on Saturday (24th), the streets of Moscow have witnessed the presence of Russian armoured personnel carriers, while heightened security measures have been implemented throughout the city. Despite the prevailing situation, the capital remains relatively calm.
#Rostov Yevgeny Prigozhin at the Rostov headquarters of the Southern Military District. #Moscow #Putin pic.twitter.com/Qu9uXfvozB
— Sumit Chaudhary (@SumitDefence) June 24, 2023
Russian authorities have undertaken proactive measures to safeguard crucial facilities in Moscow, including state authorities and transportation infrastructure. Sergey Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, has affirmed the adoption of anti-terror measures to counter the threat posed by the Wagner mercenary force.
A significant step taken has been the closure of the M-4 motorway at the border with the Voronezh region, located approximately 400 km south of Moscow. This measure was implemented as reports surfaced suggesting the entry of an armed Wagner convoy into Russian territory, with intentions to displace the country’s military leadership.
Monitoring the situation closely, the Ukrainian military has confirmed its vigilance in observing the internal discord in Moscow. Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, has stated that rival factions within the Russian establishment have begun engaging in power struggles and conflicts of interest, resulting in a situation where they are “eating each other over power and money.”
BREAKING: Footage of Wagner Group forces arriving at military headquarters in Rostov, Russia.#Russia #Moscow pic.twitter.com/9RR84N0Po4
— World Times (@WorldTimesWT) June 24, 2023
The eruption of unrest can be traced back to the Wagner mercenary force, whose ultimatum to march on Moscow was issued if Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the Russian General Staff, declined to meet their demands. The current turmoil in Moscow serves as a stark reminder of the persistent power struggles and internal divisions that plague both the Russian military and government.
