Russia Wagner Group: A Wagner group truck seen transporting a tank on highway linking Moscow earlier.
Russia accused the head of the powerful mercenary group Wagner of mounting an armed uprising and ordered his arrest as the growing animosity between rival Kremlin camps over the war in Ukraine spilled into open conflict.
The Wagner group chief said they are stopping their advance to Moscow to avoid "spilling blood". He had vowed Saturday to take all necessary steps to topple the country's military leadership in Moscow, saying his forces would "destroy everything" in their way.
"We are going onwards and we will go to the end," Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a new audio message after vowing to sideline Russia's military leadership.
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin earlier claimed his fighters captured the army HQ in Russia's Rostov-on-Don "without firing a single shot" and claimed to have the support of locals. The Wagner group was said to be "moving across" Lipetsk, a town 400 km south of Moscow, but stopped their movement 200 km away from the capital city.
Here are the Live Updates on Wagner Group's 'Armed Mutiny':
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Wagner Chief Cheered As He Leaves Russian Town
The chief of the rebel Wagner mercenary force today left Russia after calling off his troops' advance on Saturday, easing the country's most serious security crisis in decades. Russia said that he won't face any charges.
Mercenary Group Fighter Leave Russia's Rostov-on-Don: Governor
Russia News Live: Fighters from the Wagner mercenary group have left the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don with their leader Yevegeny Prigozhin, the regional governor said early Sunday."A Wagner column left Rostov and headed to their field camps," governor Vasily Golubev said on Telegram. On Saturday they seized control of a key military base there.
Mutiny Won't Affect Ukraine Assault Plans: Russia
Russia News Live: The Kremlin said that a mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group would not affect Russia's military offensive in Ukraine, a top official said.
Government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "out of the question" that Wagner's aborted rebellion would impact Russia's campaign against Kyiv, adding that Moscow was grateful to Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko for his efforts in mediating the crisis.
Wagner Chief To Go To Belarus, Case Against Him To Be Dropped: Kremlin
Russia News Live: The Kremlin said on Saturday that Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin would leave for Belarus and a criminal case against him would be dropped.
Members of Wagner paramilitary force who had joined what Moscow called an "armed rebellion" would not be prosecuted, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added. "We have always respected their heroic deeds at the front."
Putin Thanks Belarus Leader After Russian Mercenaries TurnaroundRussia News Live: Minsk said on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko after the chief of Wagner announced he was turning around his forces. "The President of Belarus informed the President of Russia in detail about the results of negotiations with the leadership of PMC Wagner," Lukashenko's press service said in a statement, adding Putin "thanked his Belarusian colleague."
Russian Mercenaries Stop March Towards Moscow "To Avoid Spilling Blood"
Russia News Live: Mutinous Russian mercenary fighters who surged most of the way to Moscow have agreed to turn back to avoid bloodshed, their leader said on Saturday, in a de-escalation of what had become a major challenge to President Vladimir Putin's grip on power.
The fighters of the Wagner private army run by former Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin were already most of the way to the capital, having captured the city of Rostov and set off on an 1,100 km (680 mile) race to Moscow.
In an audio message, Prigozhin said the fighters would return to base because of the risk of blood being spilled.
Russia News Live: Belarus leader claims negotiated with Prigozhin a stop to Wagner troop movement
"Putin Probably Hiding Somewhere," Says Zelensky Amid Mutiny In Russia
Russia News Live: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Russia's Vladimir Putin is likely "very scared" and hiding someplace as rebel mercenaries advance on Moscow.
"The man from the Kremlin is obviously very scared and is probably hiding somewhere," Zelensky said in his daily address to the nation, adding that Putin has "created this threat himself."
Amid Mutiny By Wagner Group, Ukraine Announces New Offensive On Eastern Front.
Russia News Live: Ukrainian forces have launched several new offensives on their eastern front, confronting Russian troops in the Donbas region, and have claimed more ground, a minister said Saturday.
Deputy defence minister Ganna Malyar said Ukrainian forces had assaulted Russian lines near the towns of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bakhmut, Bondanivka, Yagidne, Klishchivka and Kurdyumivka.
"There is progress in all directions," she said.
Here's How World Leaders Reacted To The Wagner's Mutiny Against Putin
Russia News Live: The Wagner mercenary group's mutiny in Russia presented President Vladimir Putin with the most significant challenge to his long-standing leadership, drawing the attention of foreign leaders who were already keenly monitoring developments in this region owing to the Ukraine-Russia war.
Here are the reactions of nations and experts about the extraordinary situation due to which Vladimir Putin is facing the greatest threat to his authority in two decades:
US President Speaks On Phone With G7 Leaders Over Crisis In Russia
Russia News Live: US President Joe Biden on Saturday discussed the unfolding crisis in Russia with the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, affirming the allies' staunch support for Ukraine.
According to a statement from the White House, Biden spoke by telephone with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about "the situation in Russia."
The leaders "affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine," the White House statement added.
A White House spokesman also said Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed by their national security team Saturday morning on the Russian crisis and will continue to be briefed throughout the day.
France Warns Its Citizens Against All Russia Travel
Russia News Live: France on Saturday warned its citizens against all travel to and within Russia after the head of the Wagner mercenary group launched a rebellion against the military and threatened to march on Moscow.
"We formally advise against any travel in Russia given the very high volatility of the military and security situation, as well decisions to impose regimes of anti-terrorist operations in Moscow and in certain regions," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Moscow Mayor Urges Residents To Limit Travel, Warns Of Road Closures.
Russia News Live: Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Saturday warned the situation in the capital was "difficult," as forces of the Wagner mercenary group moved towards Moscow to oust Russia's military leadership.
"The situation is difficult. I ask you to refrain from travelling around the city as much as possible," Sobyanin said in a statement, warning of possible road closures and announcing Monday was a "non-working" day.
Russia News Live: Situation in Moscow difficult, Monday 'non-working day', says Mayor
Russia Vows To Achieve Goals In Ukraine Despite Armed Rebellion
Russia has vowed to achieve its goals in the ongoing war in Ukraine despite an armed rebellion by the Wagner group, a private military contractor. Moscow has even warned western countries against leveraging insurrection for "anti-Russian" goals.
Russia warned the West on Saturday against taking advantage of an armed insurrection carried out by the Wagner mercenary group in Russia to achieve what Moscow said were their "anti-Russian" goals.
"We warn the Western countries against any hint of possible use of the domestic Russian situation to achieve their Russophobic goals," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"All goals and objectives of the special military operation will be fulfilled," it added, using the Kremlin-preferred term for Moscow's large-scale military intervention in Ukraine.
Turkey Ready To Help Seek "Peaceful Resolution" To Armed Rebellion: Erdogan
Russia News Live: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said Turkey was ready to help seek a "peaceful resolution" to an armed rebellion in Russia, in a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, his office said.
Erdogan "underlined the importance of acting with common sense," the presidency said in a statement. "President Erdogan said that we, as Turkey, are ready to do our part for the peaceful resolution of events in Russia as soon as possible."
Russia News Live: Travel Restrictions Imposed In Kaluga Region South Of Moscow: Governor
Latvia Tightens Border Security, No Entry For Russians
Wagner Group Russia: Latvia's president-elect on Saturday said the Baltic state had tightened its border security in response to the mutiny underway in Russia and would not be admitting Russians.
"Latvia is closely following the developing situation in Russia... Border security has been strengthened, visa or border entry from Russians leaving Russia due to current events won't be considered," President-elect Edgars Rinkevics said on Twitter.
Russian Rebel Group "Moving Across" Lipetsk Region, 400 Km South Of Moscow
Russia News Live: Russian mutineering Wagner mercenaries were "moving across" the Lipetsk region some 400 kilometres (250 miles) south of Moscow, the governor said Saturday, en route to Moscow after vowing to overthrow Russia's military leadership.
"Hardware of the Wagner mercenary group is moving across the territory of the Lipetsk region," governor Igor Artamonov said on Telegram. "I remind you that residents are strongly recommended not to leave their houses or to make trips on any mode of transport."
US "In Close Coordination" With G7 Allies Amid Mutiny In Russia
Russia News Live: Washington will stay "in close coordination" with its Group of Seven allies amid the unfolding crisis in Russia, where Wagner mercenaries launched a mutiny, officials said Saturday.
"The United States will stay in close coordination with Allies and partners as the situation continues to develop," State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement, adding that support for Ukraine "will not change."
Mutiny A "Gift To West", Says Russian Ally Belarus
Russia News Live: Russia's close ally Belarus said Saturday that the armed insurrection underway by the Wagner mercenary group was a "gift" to Western countries, warning the uprising could spell "disaster".
"Any provocation, any internal conflict in military or political circles, in the information field or in civil society is a gift to the collective West," the Belarusian foreign ministry said, citing a statement by Minsk's Security Council.
Chechen Leader To Send Troops To Russian "Zones Of Tension" Amid Mutiny
Russia News Live Updates: The strongman leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, announced Saturday he had sent Chechen units to "zones of tension" in Russia after Wagner mercenaries launched a mutiny in the country.
"Defence ministry and National Guard fighters of the Chechen Republic have already left for the zones of tension," Kadyrov, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, said on Telegram. "The rebellion must be put down, and if harsh measures are necessary, we are ready!"
Russian Wagner's Group's Mutiny A "Window Of Opportunity" For Kyiv: Ukraine
Russia News Live: Ukraine said Saturday that unrest in Russia spurred by an armed mutiny of the Russian Wagner group presented an opportunity for Kyiv, weeks after announcing a counter-offensive against Russian positions.
"What does this mean for us? It is a window of opportunity," said Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar, adding that Russia's military and political leadership: "fight with us and destroy themselves."
Russian Chopper Fires On Rebel Group's Column Advancing Towards Moscow
Russia News Live: Russian military helicopters opened fire on Saturday afternoon on a convoy of rebel mercenaries already more than halfway towards Moscow in a lightning advance after seizing a southern city overnight.
President Vladimir Putin vowed to crush an armed mutiny he compared to Russia's Civil War a century ago.
One tank was wedged between stucco buildings with posters advertising the circus.
Another had "Siberia" daubed in red paint across the front, a clear statement of intent to sweep across the breadth of Russia
Wagner Group Chief Claims Control Over South Russian Army Headquarter
Russia News Live: Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, leading a mutiny to bring down Moscow's top brass, said Saturday his fighters captured the army HQ in Russia's Rostov-on-Don "without firing a single shot" and claimed to have the support of locals.
"Why does the country support us? Because we went on a march of justice," Prigozhin said in his latest Telegram audio message. "We got to Rostov. Without a single shot we captured the building of the (army) HQ."
Putin Working As Normal In Kremlin, Says Spokesperson
Russia News Live: Russian President Vladimir Putin is working as normal in the Kremlin, his spokesman said Saturday, after the Russian Wagner mercenary group vowed to topple the country's senior military leadership.
"The president is working in the Kremlin," his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency, after Wagner units claimed to have captured military installations in southern Russia.
Explained: Rivalry Between Wagner Mercenary Group And Russia's Military
Russia News Live: As Russia's disastrous war in Ukraine continues, another rant by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the bombastic chief of the paramilitary Wagner group, has laid bare the power struggle at the top of Russia's military leadership.
Calling Russian commanders "stupid" and responsible for "criminal orders" last week, Prigozhin questioned whether the military could even defend Russian territory.
Upset with the slow delivery of ammunition, Prigozhin had also filmed himself next to the bodies of Wagner fighters, issuing a tirade at Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, and its chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov.
Armoured Cars With Machine Guns, Tanks, Armed Wagner Rebels In Russian Town
Wagner Group Live: The sound of ambulance and police sirens filled the air on Saturday in Rostov-on-Don -- a hub for Russia's Ukraine campaign -- where the rebellious Wagner mercenary force said it had taken over key facilities.
At a major intersection in the city centre, an armoured car with a machine gun and around a dozen men in military fatigues with silver armbands could be seen.
Armoured personnel carriers and tanks were positioned in other parts of the centre, including outside a toy shop and a circus, journalists in the city reported.
Passers-by stopped to look at the military vehicles, including transport trucks, and more armed men with silver armbands carrying rifles in resting positions.
Putin Speaks To Ally Nations After Russian Mercenary Group's Mutiny
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday spoke to his Belarus ally, President Alexander Lukashenko, in his first international phone call since a mutiny by Wagner mercenaries inside Russia.
"The president of Russia called the president of Belarus this morning, there was a phone conversation," Belarusian state media reported.
Russia News Live: Lipetsk Residents Urged To Stay At Home
Officials in Russia's western Lipetsk region urge residents to stay home.
Russia News Live: Russia In "Internal Chaos", Says Italy PM
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Saturday the revolt by the Wagner mercenary group showed Russia was in internal "chaos".
In the most serious challenge yet to Russian President Vladimir Putin's long rule, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prighozin said his troops had seized a key military headquarters overseeing the offensive in Ukraine.
Speaking in Austria, Meloni said it was a "situation of chaos inside the Russian Federation which... clashes a bit with some of the propaganda which we have seen in recent months".
Russia News Live: Fuel Depot On Fire In Russia's Voronezh
A fuel depot was on fire in Russia's southern city of Voronezh on Saturday, the local governor announced after Moscow said the army was leading "combat" in the region amid a mutiny from Wagner mercenaries.
"In Voronezh, (authorities) are extinguishing a burning fuel depot," the governor Alexander Gusev said on Telegram. "There are 100 firefighters and more than 30 vehicles at the scene," he added, saying there were "no victims according to the first data."
Gusev did not give the cause of the fire, but some media have published a video showing a military helicopter in the area before an explosion.
Russia News Live: Russia's Weakness Is Obvious, Says Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that an armed insurrection launched by members of the Wagner mercenary group was evidence of Russia's inherent political instability.
"Russia's weakness is obvious. Full-scale weakness. And the longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries on our land, the more chaos, pain, and problems it will have for itself later," he said in statement on social media, adding that: "Ukraine is able to protect Europe from the spread of Russian evil and chaos."
Russia News Live: Russian Orthodox Leader Calls For "Unity"
The leader of Russia's Orthodox Patriarch Kirill on Saturday called for "unity" in the country and voiced support for President Vladimir Putin as Wagner mercenaries staged a rebellion.
"Today, when our brothers are fighting and dying on the frontlines... any attempt to sow discord within the country is the greatest possible crime that has no justification," Patriarch Kirill said in a statement, adding that: "I support the efforts of the head of the Russian state, aimed at not allowing turmoil in our country."
Russia News Live: Rishi Sunak Urges "All Parties" To Be Responsible
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Saturday that Britain and its allies were "keeping a close eye on the situation" in Russia, as he urged "all parties to be responsible and to protect civilians".
"We're in touch with our allies as the situation evolves. I'll be speaking to some of them later today and the most important thing is for all parties to behave responsibly," the UK leader told the BBC.
Russia News Live: European Union Closely Watching Russia Events
The European Union is closely monitoring the situation in Russia amid a rebellion by the Wagner mercenary group, EU chief Charles Michel said on Saturday.
"Closely monitoring the situation in Russia as it unfolds. In touch with European leaders and @G7 partners", he wrote in a tweet. "This is clearly an internal Russian issue," he said."Our support for Ukraine and @ZelenskyyUa is unwavering."
Russia News Live: Putin 'Deeply Mistaken', Says Wagner Chief
The head of the Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin Saturday said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "deeply mistaken" in calling rebelling Wagner fighters "traitors" and ruled out surrender.
"On treason of the motherland: the president is deeply wrong. We are patriots of our motherland," Prigozhin, who launched a mutiny overnight, said in an audio message on Telegram. "Nobody plans to turn themselves in at the request of the president, the FSB (security service) or anyone else."
Russia News Live: Russian Army Carrying Out 'Combat Measures' In Voronezh
The governor of Russia's southern region of Voronezh said Saturday that Russian military were taking necessary measures to suppress an attempt by the Wagner mercenary group to topple the country's senior military leadership.
"As part of the counter-terrorist operation on the territory of the Voronezh region, the armed forces of the Russian Federation are carrying out necessary operational and combat measures," the official, Alexander Gusev, said in a statement on social media.
Russia News Live: Officials In Moscow-Occupied Ukraine Express Support For Putin
The Russian-installed heads of Ukrainian regions occupied by Moscow on Saturday expressed support for President Vladimir Putin as Russia faces an extraordinary mutiny by mercenaries from the Wagner group.
"The Kherson region and the people of Kherson completely support our president!", the Russian-installed head of Ukraine's southern Kherson region said on Telegram. The Kremlin-appointed head of the part of the Zaporizhzhia region controlled by Moscow, Yevgeny Balitsky, said the territory was "with the president."
Russia News Live: Amid Unrest, Putin Speaks To Belarus Ally
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday spoke to his Belarus ally, President Alexander Lukashenko, in his first international phone call since a munity by Wagner mercenaries inside Russia.
"The president of Russia called the president of Belarus this morning, there was a phone conversation," Belarusian state media reported. "Vladimir Putin informed his Belarusian colleague about the situation in Russia."
Russia News Live: Germany Closely Following Russia Situation
Germany is closely following events in Russia, where the Wagner mercenary group has claimed control of a key military headquarters in the south, a government spokesman said on Saturday.
"The government is closely following the events in Russia," he told AFP.
Russia News Live: France Monitoring Situation In Russia
Emmanuel Macron is closely monitoring the situation in Russia after the Wagner mercenary group launched an armed mutiny against the Kremlin's forces, the French president's office said Saturday.
"The president is following the situation very closely. We remain focussed on supporting Ukraine," the Elysee said.
Russia News Live: UK Says Russia Now Facing Greatest Challenge Of Recent Times
Britain's defence ministry said on Saturday that the Russian state was facing its greatest security challenge of recent times, following what it said appeared to be a move by Wagner Group forces towards Moscow.
"Over the coming hours, the loyalty of Russia's security forces, and especially the Russian National Guard, will be key to how this crisis plays out. This represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times," Britain's defence ministry said in a regular intelligence update.
Russia News Live: British Intelligence Update On Wagner Group's Rebellion In Russia
Russia News Live: "Stab In The Back", Says Vladimir Putin
"Wagner rebellion 'stab in the back' to Russia," said Vladimir Putin. "Wagner chief 'betrayed' Russia out of 'personal ambition'."
"Wagner mutiny 'deadly threat' to Russia," he added. "Situation 'difficult' in Rostov in southern Russia."
Russia News Live: Putin Begins Address To The Nation Vladimir Putin begins address as Wagner fighters stage rebellion.
Russia News Live: Russia Says Will "Guarantee Safety" Of Mercenaries Who Stop Rebellion
The Russian army on Saturday said it would "guarantee the safety" of Wagner mercenaries who stop rebelling against Moscow's military leadership.
"We are appealing to the fighters of assault squads of PMC Wagner. You were deceived into (Wagner chief's Yevgeny) Prigozhin's criminal venture and participation in an armed rebellion," the army said in a statement. It called on the fighters to ask for help to return to "places of permanent deployment."
Russia News Live: Russia Declares 'Anti-Terrorist Operation Regime' In Moscow
Russia on Saturday declared an "anti-terrorist operation regime" in Moscow and the Moscow region, after the chief of the Wagner mercenary group vowed to overthrow Russia's military leadership and claimed control of a key military headquarters in the south.
"With the aim of preventing possible terrorist acts on the territory of the city of Moscow and the Moscow region, an anti-terror operation regime has been introduced," the country's national anti-terrorist committee said in a statement quoted by Russian agencies.
Vladimir Putin To Address Russians "Soon"
President Vladimir Putin will "soon" address the nation, the Kremlin said Saturday, as Russia faced a rebellion by the Wagner mercenary group that has vowed to topple Moscow's military leadership.
"Putin will make an address soon", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.
Wagner Chief Suggests Mercenaries Headed For Moscow
Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin appeared to suggest he had sent an armed convoy on a 1,200-km (750-mile) charge towards Moscow on Saturday in an unlikely attempt to topple the military leadership.
Russian local officials said a military convoy was on the main motorway linking the southern part of European Russia, bordering Ukraine, with Moscow, and warned residents to avoid it.
Wagner Chief Inside Military Headquarters
The head of Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin announced Saturday that he was inside the army HQ in southern Russia's Rostov-on-Don and that his fighters control the city's military sites, including an aerodrome, after vowing to bring down Moscow's top brass.
"We are inside the (army) headquarters, it is 7:30 am (0430 GMT)," Prigozhin said in a video on Telegram. "Military sites in Rostov, including an aerodrome, are under control," he added.
"All 25,000 Ready To Die": Wagner Chief On Armed Mutiny Against Military
"All of us are ready to die. All 25,000, and then another 25,000," Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62, said in an audio message, after earlier accusing the Russian top brass of launching strikes against his men.