Wagner boss claims control of military base in southern Russian city

Prigozhin announced that Wagner gunmen had taken control of all military facilities in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don after he was accused of inciting rebellion.

"We are in the headquarters of the Russian Southern Military District, it is 7:30 now," Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the private military corporation Wagner, said in a video posted on the social network Telegram today. "Military sites in Rostov, including the airport, are now under our control."

He added that Russian fighter jets involved in the attack on Ukraine "can still leave the airport as usual". "We control the airport so that the fighter jets do not attack us but attack Ukraine".

Head of the private security group Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin. Photo: TASS — Head of the private security group Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin. Photo: *TASS*

Rostov region authorities have urged residents to stay at home. The Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don is a key logistics base for the offensive in Ukraine.

Wagner leader previously said his forces had entered Russia from the Ukrainian front, vowing to overthrow the Russian military leadership, asserting that he and thousands of fighters were "ready to die".

In another video posted on a pro-Wagner Telegram channel, Prigozhin is seen sitting between two senior generals at the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District, one of whom is Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, who had earlier urged Prigozhin to remain calm.

"We have come here, we want to see the Chief of the General Staff and Minister Shoigu," Prigozhin said in the video. "If they don't come, we will stay here, we will blockade Rostov-on-Don and move towards Moscow."

Wagner boss declares to take over all military facilities in Russia's Rostov region — Wagner boss talks with two senior generals at the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in Rostov. Video: *Telegram*

On June 23, the Russian Security Service (FSB) announced the opening of an investigation into Prigozhin for "inciting rebellion" by calling on Wagner forces to fight against the Ministry of Defense .

The FSB announced the decision to open proceedings after Prigozhin accused Defense Minister Shoigu of flying to Rostov to direct the missile strike on the Wagner training camp, causing heavy casualties. The Russian military denied the accusation.

Location of Rostov province, Russia (circled in red). Graphics: Google — Location of Rostov province, Russia (circled in red). Graphics: *Google*

Boss Wagner announced sending 25,000 troops to Rostov to question Minister Shoigu about the attack, while affirming that this was "a march for justice, not a coup" and that this action "does not hinder the Russian army".

The FSB said Mr Prigozhin's statements and actions "constitute incitement to armed conflict on Russian territory, stab in the backs of soldiers fighting pro-fascist Ukrainian forces". The FSB also called on Wagner members not to follow Prigozhin's orders and arrest the leader of the private military corporation.

Vu Hoang (According to AFP, Moscow Times )

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