‘Coup attempt’ in Russia: tanks landed on the street, tension is at its peak

While the crisis that has been going on for months between the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which played an important role in the war in Ukraine, and the Russian army reached its climax yesterday, allegations of an attempted coup fell like a bomb on the agenda. .

Yevgeniy Prigojin, the founder of Wagner, who has been openly against the Russian army for a long time, made a devastating statement yesterday, claiming that the Russian army attacked the Wagner camps and said: “Today they attacked our camps with missiles. Many of our soldiers died. “Those who killed our men and killed tens of thousands of Russian soldiers today will be punished,” he said.

Prigokhin, the founder of the Wagner group fighting in Ukraine, has been making statements against the Russian army for months.

Thereupon, the Federal Security Service (FSB) filed a lawsuit against Prigojin on the charge of “armed riot”. Finally, the FSB called on Wagner members to capture Prigojin, reporting that Prigojin’s statements and actions were “a call for the start of an armed conflict.”

In the Russian Defense Ministry statement, it was claimed that the images on social media about the Wagner camps were “false” and “provocation” and a call for surrender was made.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitriy Peskov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed about the incident and the necessary measures were taken in this regard.

PRIGOJIN CHALLENGE: WE PROVIDE MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Tensions rose further after mutual statements in the crisis, which many experts called an “open coup attempt.”

Prigojin claimed that his armed group entered Russian territory across the border and captured all military installations in Rostov. The Wagner group reportedly besieged the headquarters of the Russian Southern Military District in Rostov-Na-Don.

In images shared on social media, Wagner fighters are seen deployed around the Russian Southern Military District Headquarters building with armored vehicles and tanks. Wagner’s fighters placed heavy weapons on the doors and windows of the Russian Defense Ministry building.

Wagner’s fighters argued that they had captured military installations in the city of Rostov.

‘WE ARE GOING TO MOSCOW’

Prigokhin, seen shaking hands with military officers outside the Russian Southern Military District Headquarters, said: “Once again, I say it. We want Shoigu and the Chief of Staff here. We will be here until they come. “We will blockade Rostov and go to Moscow,” he said.

Prigojin said: “Don’t listen to the news that Wagner is creating an obstacle for the army at the front. The situation at the front did not deteriorate thanks to us. When we came here, we confirmed many things once again. Much land was lost. The death toll of Russian soldiers is 3-4 times higher than that reported to superiors. Some days up to 1,000 soldiers are lost,” he said.

Some critical facilities in Russia were guarded by soldiers.

Due to the crisis, tanks and soldiers were deployed in the Russian regions close to the border with Ukraine and at some points in the capital, Moscow.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced that security measures in the capital have been strengthened as part of the fight against terrorism. Images of the presence of military vehicles on the streets of Moscow are also shared on social networks.

Rostov Region Governor Vasily Golubev said: “I urge citizens not to go to the city center and stay at home.” Lipetsk Region Governor Igor Artamanov said: “Special attention will be paid to critical infrastructure facilities. I also advise residents not to travel to the south, especially to the Voronezh region, ”he said.

In a statement made by the Voronezh administration, it was noted that convoys of military vehicles were moving on the M4 federal highway, so it should not be used by civilians.

‘THIS IS PULLING A KNIFE OUT OF PUTIN’S BACK’

The Russian commanders, on the other hand, asked Wagner to “hold”. Sergey Surovikin, Russia’s commander in charge of his troops in Ukraine, said: “Together we went through a very difficult path. We fought together, we took risks, we suffered losses, we won. We are soldiers of the same blood. I urge you to stop. Our enemy expects the internal political situation to worsen. We must not give a trump card into the hands of the enemy, ”he said.

Russian Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev said: “Whatever your intentions are, what you are doing is sticking a knife in the back of the country and the head of state. There can be no greater blow to the image of Russia and its Armed Forces. Only those who are hostile to the country can make such a provocation, ”he said.

In the statement made by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, “the Kiev administration, using Prigokhin’s provocative actions to disrupt the situation, is deploying the 35th Marine Brigade and the 36th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the direction of Bahmut to launch an offensive operation”.

WHITE HOUSE: WE CONTINUE

Regarding the situation in the US, “We follow the developments. US President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the issue.

White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge stated that they will discuss developments in Russia with allies and partners. (AGENCIES)