The string of statements marked an unprecedented escalation of infighting among Russia’s elite, which has pitted Prigozhin against defence minister Sergei Shoigu and senior military commanders. “The enemy is just waiting for the internal political situation to worsen in our country.”Įarly on Saturday, State-run Channel 1 broke into regular programming for a special news bulletin in which the country’s best-known news anchor, Yekaterina Andreyeva, denied Prigozhin’s claims of a Russian military attack against his fighters and repeated the FSB statement. “I urge you to stop,” said Surovikin, who was previously understood to be close to Prigozhin. Unconfirmed footage also appeared to show military vehicles on the streets of the Russian capital.Īmid rumours that columns of Wagner fighters were already on the move, General Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of Russia’s Ukraine campaign, released a video address ordering the mercenaries to remain loyal to Putin. Russian state news agency Tass, citing law enforcement agencies, reported that security measures have been strengthened in Moscow, with critical facilities taken under increased protection. The FSB said that Prigozhin’s statements and actions constituted “calls for the start of an armed civil conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation”. After we finished what we started, we will return to the frontline to protect our motherland,” Prigozhin said.

Ideally, those along our way, do not go outside. “I’m asking everyone to remain calm, do not succumb to provocations, and remain in their houses.

Face mod shadow of war