2023-06-24 10:35:52
Moscow is on edge this Saturday morning, literally and figuratively. The “anti-terrorist operation regime” has been established in Moscow and its region, while Russia is rocked by a rebellion of the paramilitary group Wagner, announced on Saturday the National Anti-Terrorism Committee.
“In order to prevent possible attacks”, this regime was also established in the Voronezh region, bordering Ukraine, the Committee said in a press release, quoted by Russian news agencies. This measure reinforces the powers of the security services and allows them to restrict movements.
“Anti-terrorist activities are underway in Moscow with the aim of strengthening security measures,” also announced the mayor of the capital, Sergei Sobyanin. Images on social media and online media, the authenticity of which AFP could not confirm, showed military vehicles circulating in the city, near the Ministry of Defense, and in position in front of the chamber lower part of Parliament, the Duma, a few dozen meters from the Kremlin.
MORE TANKS ROLLING INTO MOSCOW
Armed personnel carriers and tanks have been seen rolling into downtown Moscow to secure government buildings.
Special Force and FSB are guarding many structures.
All off duty FSB, in Moscow, have been called to their offices. pic.twitter.com/UmM1nd6kAF
— Jason Jay Smart (@officejjsmart) June 23, 2023
Later in the morning, the Russian president blasted the “deadly threat” and the risk of “civil war” posed by the leader of the paramilitary group. “It’s a stab in the back of our country and our people,” Vladimir Putin said in an address to the nation. “What we are facing is nothing but betrayal. A betrayal caused by the disproportionate ambitions and the personal interests “of Yevgueni Prigojine, he judged.
Investigation for mutiny
Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov informed President Vladimir Putin “of the opening of a criminal investigation in connection with the attempt to organize an armed mutiny”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
In multiple audio messages throughout the day, Wagner’s boss previously claimed that Russian strikes had caused a “very large number of casualties” in his ranks.
“They carried out strikes, missile strikes, on our rear camps. A very large number of our fighters have been killed,” he said, accusing Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering the attacks. These accusations “do not correspond to reality and are a provocation”, retorted the Ministry of Defense in a press release.
The FSB (security forces) called on Wagner’s fighters to arrest their leader. And an influential Russian general, Sergei Surovikin, urged Wagner’s fighters to give up their revolt. “I (you) ask to stop (…) Before it is too late, we must obey the will and the order of the elected president of Russia”, he said in a video on Telegram.
In addition, the FSB is carrying out an operation this Saturday in Saint Petersburg against Wagner’s headquarters, according to several sources.
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