Russian military fights rebel mercenaries near Moscow.

Russian Military Helicopters Open Fire on Rebel Convoy Advancing Towards Moscow

In a dramatic turn of events, Russian military helicopters launched an attack on a convoy of rebel mercenaries who were already more than halfway towards Moscow. The rebels had seized control of a southern city overnight, marking a lightning-fast advance. The situation is reminiscent of Russia’s Civil War a century ago, according to President Vladimir Putin.

Private Wagner Militia Takes Control of Rostov-on-Don

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s private Wagner militia, known for their involvement in the bloodiest battles in Ukraine, has gained control of Rostov-on-Don, a city near the Ukrainian border. The militia is rapidly advancing northwards through western Russia. A Reuters journalist witnessed Russian army helicopters opening fire on an armed Wagner column as it passed the city of Voronezh. The column included troop carriers and even a tank on a flatbed truck.

Prigozhin claims to have captured the headquarters of Russia’s Southern Military District in Rostov after leading his forces into Russia from Ukraine. In Rostov, residents filmed the presence of Wagner fighters in armored vehicles and battle tanks, positioning themselves strategically. The tanks displayed bold messages, such as “Siberia,” indicating their intent to sweep across Russia.

Putin Vows to Crush the Rebellion

President Putin, in a televised address, vowed to crush the armed mutiny, likening it to Russia’s revolution and civil war during World War One. He declared that those who betrayed the country and resorted to terrorism would face punishment. However, Prigozhin responded defiantly, asserting that he and his men are patriots fighting against corruption and deceit.

Tensions Rise as Western Capitals Monitor the Situation

Western capitals are closely monitoring the situation in Russia, a nuclear-armed nation. The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden has been briefed. The British defense ministry stated that this represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times. The loyalty of Russia’s security forces, particularly the Russian National Guard, will play a crucial role in resolving the crisis.

Putin’s Power at Stake

Putin’s grip on power may depend on his ability to rally enough loyal troops to combat the mercenaries. This challenge arises as most of Russia’s military is deployed in southern and eastern Ukraine. The rebellion also poses a risk to Russia’s invasion force in Ukraine, as Kyiv launches a strong counteroffensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized that Russia’s continued presence on Ukrainian soil would lead to chaos and problems for Russia itself.

Prigozhin’s Revolt

Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former convict and longtime ally of Putin, leads a private army consisting of thousands of former prisoners recruited from Russian jails. His forces have been involved in intense fighting throughout the Ukraine war. Prigozhin accused the regular army’s top brass of incompetence and withholding ammunition from his fighters. He initiated the mutiny after alleging that the military had killed many of his men in an airstrike, a claim denied by the Defense Ministry.

Army Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseyev made a video appeal to Prigozhin, urging him to reconsider his actions and highlighting that only the president has the authority to appoint top military leadership.

(Reporting by Reuters journalists. Writing by Andrew Osborn, Kevin Liffey, Peter Graff. Editing by Frances Kerry)