Wagner Group rebellion: Difference between revisions

{{Distinguish|2022–2023 western Russia attacks}}

{{Current|date=June 2023}}

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| partof           = the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]

| image             = Situation in Western Russia.svg

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| caption           = Military situation in Russia{{refn|group=note|Wagner presence reported in: Rostov,<ref name="ter1" /> Voronezh,<ref name="ter2" /> Yelets<ref>{{cite web |title=Crybar reports Wagner troops have passed Yelets and are now 340&nbsp;km from Moscow. |url=https://twitter.com/ItsArtoir/status/1672579524309966850 |website=Twitter |access-date=24 June 2023 |quote=Geolocation |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624145706/https://twitter.com/ItsArtoir/status/1672579524309966850 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

{{legend|#b4b2ae|PMC Wagner reported movements}}

| date             = {{Start and end dates|2023|06|23|2023|06|24|df= y}}<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=06|day1=23|year1=2023}})

| place             = [[Russia]]

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| territory        = Wagner Group captures [[Rostov-on-Don]]<ref name="ter1"/><ref name="ter2">{{cite news |title='Wagnerites' seize military facilities in Voronezh – media |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3727182-wagnerites-seize-military-facilities-in-voronezh-media.html |access-date=24 June 2023 |publisher=[[Ukrinform]] |date=24 June 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624165524/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3727182-wagnerites-seize-military-facilities-in-voronezh-media.html |archive-date=24 June 2023 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

| result            = Wagner forces turn around<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-24-23/h_fe043dd7a8f8d7b605cf6c9e2c27b2d7 |title=Prigozhin says his forces "are turning our columns around," amid claims of deal brokered by Lukashenko |date=24 June 2023 |last1=Krebs |first1=Katharina |last2=Hodge |first2=Nathan |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref>

{{flagicon image|Flag of the DShRG Rusich.svg}} [[Rusich Group]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-24 |title=Неонацисти з ДШРГ «Русич» підтримали військовий заколот Пригожина |url=https://bykvu.com/ua/bukvy/neonatsysty-z-dshrh-rusych-pidtrymaly-viiskovyi-zakolot-pryhozhyna/ |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=Новини України|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624161422/https://bykvu.com/ua/bukvy/neonatsysty-z-dshrh-rusych-pidtrymaly-viiskovyi-zakolot-pryhozhyna|archive-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref><br />

[[Storm-Z]] (partial)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-24 |title=Отряд "Шторм Z" с передовой Запорожского фронта заявил о поддержке Путина |url=https://life.ru/p/1589025 |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=Life.ru |language=ru |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624161557/https://life.ru/p/1589025 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Russia Coup LIVE: Private jets flown out of Moscow towards St Petersburg, reports say – Wagner-alike 'Storm Z' extends support for Prigozhin |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/russia-wagner-group-rebellion-live-updates-yevgeny-prigozhin-ukraine-101687576973612.html |access-date=24 June 2023 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624134445/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/russia-wagner-group-rebellion-live-updates-yevgeny-prigozhin-ukraine-101687576973612.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

| combatant2       = {{flagdeco|Russia}} [[Government of Russia|Russian government]]

| commander1       = {{plainlist|

*'''[[Yevgeny Prigozhin]]'''

| commander2       = {{plainlist|

* [[File:Standart of the President RF.svg|20px]] '''[[Vladimir Putin]]'''

* [[File:Standart of the Russian Minister of Defence.svg|20px]] '''[[Sergei Shoigu]]'''

* [[File:Flag of Russia's Chief of Staff.svg|20px]] [[Valery Gerasimov]]

* [[File:Standard of the President of the Chechen Republic.svg|20px]] [[Ramzan Kadyrov]]

| units1           =  

| units2           =  

| strength1         = 25,000 (according to Prigozhin)<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Tom |last2=Nancarrow |first2=Dan |date=24 June 2023 |title=Live: Wagner fighters allegedly march into Russia, with leader vowing to go 'all the way' against military |language=en-AU |work=[[ABC News]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-24/live-wanger-mercenaries-russia-rostov-yevgeny-prigozhin-mutiny/102519712 |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref>

| strength2         = ~200 [[Kadyrovites]]

| casualties1       = One UAZ technical destroyed<ref name=cheforyx>{{cite web|url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/06/chefs-special-documenting-equipment.html|title=Chef’s Special – Documenting Equipment Losses During The 2023 Wagner Group Mutiny|date=June 24, 2023|publisher=[[Oryxspioenkop]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624150105/https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/06/chefs-special-documenting-equipment.html|archive-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref>

| casualties2      = Four helicopters and one transport plane shot down;{{refn|group=note|Two Mi-8MTPR-1 electronic warfare helicopters, One [[Mi-35]] Hind, One [[Ka-52]] Alligator<ref>{{Cite news |work=униан |language=Ru |url=https://www.unian.net/war/vo-vremya-myatezha-v-rossii-vagner-sbili-tri-vertoleta-novosti-vtorzheniya-rossii-na-ukrainu-amp-12305445.html |title=СМИ подтвердили сбитие "вагнеровцами" трех вертолетов Минобороны РФ |date=June 24, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624152210/https://www.unian.net/war/vo-vremya-myatezha-v-rossii-vagner-sbili-tri-vertoleta-novosti-vtorzheniya-rossii-na-ukrainu-amp-12305445.html|archive-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=UAWeapons|number=1672639333587722242|title=A Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter was reportedly shot down by Wagner forces near Talovaya|date=24 June 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624164916/https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1672639333587722242|archive-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> and One [[An-26]] transport plane<ref>{{Cite news |title=КОЛОННУ ЧВК "ВАГНЕРА" ПОД ВОРОНЕЖЕМ АТАКОВАЛА АВИАЦИЯ, НАЕМНИКИ СБИЛИ САМОЛЕТ И НЕСКОЛЬКО ВЕРТОЛЕТОВ – СОЦСЕТИ |work=Channel 5 Ukraine |url=https://www.5.ua/amp/ru/myr/kolonnu-chvk-vahnera-pod-voronezhem-atakovala-avyatsyia-naemnyky-sbyly-samolet-y-neskolko-vertoletov-sotssety-308274.html |date=June 24, 2023|archiveurl=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/YegKl|archive-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref>}} one MRAP and Infantry Mobility Vehicle captured.<ref name=cheforyx />

| casualties3       =

| notes            =  

| campaignbox       = {{Campaignbox Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

On 23 June 2023, the [[Wagner Group]], a Russian [[paramilitary]] group that was formerly closely allied with the [[Russian government]] under President [[Vladimir Putin]], rebelled against the [[Russian military]]. The [[mutiny]] occured following increasing tensions between Wagner's leader, [[Yevgeny Prigozhin]], and the [[Russian Ministry of Defence]].<ref>Miranda Bryant, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/24/wagner-mutiny-how-the-world-reacted Wagner mutiny: how the world reacted], ''The Guardian'' (June 24, 2023).</ref>

Prigozhin described the rebellion as revenge for what he said was an attack on his forces by the ministry.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Osborn |first1=Andrew |last2=Liffey |first2=Kevin |date=24 June 2023 |title=Russia accuses mercenary boss of mutiny after he says Moscow killed 2,000 of his men |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-mercenary-boss-says-moscows-war-ukraine-based-lies-2023-06-23/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623173129/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-mercenary-boss-says-moscows-war-ukraine-based-lies-2023-06-23/ |archive-date=23 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="tmt">{{Cite web |last=Tubridy |first=Mack |last2=Kozlov |first2=Pyotr |last3=Berkhead |first3=Samantha |date=24 June 2023 |title=Prigozhin Charged With 'Inciting Armed Revolt' After Vowing to Stop 'Evil' Military Leadership |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/06/23/prigozhin-charged-with-inciting-armed-revolt-after-vowing-to-stop-evil-military-leadership-a81615 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623225351/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/06/23/prigozhin-charged-with-inciting-armed-revolt-after-vowing-to-stop-evil-military-leadership-a81615 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[The Moscow Times]]}}</ref> He dismissed the Russian government's justification for the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rosenberg |first=Steve |date=23 June 2023 |title=Yevgeny Prigozhin: Wagner chief blames war on defence minister |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-65996531 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623210158/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-65996531 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> blamed the [[Minister of Defence (Russia)|Russian Defence Minister]] [[Sergei Shoigu]] for Russian military failures,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sauer |first=Pjotr |date=23 June 2023 |title=Russia investigates Wagner chief for 'armed mutiny' after call for attack on military |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/23/wagner-chief-accuses-russias-military-of-attack-and-says-evil-leadership-must-be-stopped |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624004806/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/23/wagner-chief-accuses-russias-military-of-attack-and-says-evil-leadership-must-be-stopped |archive-date=24 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and accused him of conducting the war for the benefit of Russian elites.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dress |first=Brad |date=23 June 2023 |title=Wagner chief says Russia's war in Ukraine intended to benefit elites, accuses Moscow of lying |language=en-US |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4064431-wagner-chief-says-russias-war-in-ukraine-intended-to-benefit-elites-accuses-moscow-of-lying/ |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-23 |title=Wagner chief rejects Putin’s accusations of treason |language=en |work=[[Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/6/23/russian-authorities-launch-criminal-probe-into-wagner-group |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref> Prigozhin's forces claimed to have taken [[Rostov-on-Don]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 June 2023 |title=Leader of Wagner mercenaries says forces entered Russian city of Rostov facing no resistance |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/leader-of-wagner-mercenaries-says-forces-entered-russian-city-of-rostov-facing-no-resistance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624013152/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/leader-of-wagner-mercenaries-says-forces-entered-russian-city-of-rostov-facing-no-resistance |archive-date=24 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[PBS NewsHour]] |language=en-us}}</ref> a critical logistical hub, with a [[Southern Military District|key military headquarters]],<ref name=Yerushalmy>{{Cite news |last=Yerushalmy |first=Jonathan |date=24 June 2023 |title=Rostov-on-Don: why has Russian city been targeted by Wagner group? |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/24/rostov-on-don-why-russian-city-targeted-wagner-group |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624085019/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/24/rostov-on-don-why-russian-city-targeted-wagner-group |archive-date=24 June 2023}}</ref> and reportedly advanced towards [[Voronezh]], and then [[Lipetsk Oblast|Lipetsk]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-24 |title=The governor of Russia's Lipetsk province says the Wagner mercenary group has entered the region |url=https://apnews.com/article/82e52c3f86b8f939ffa05bfa588cb5ee |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=[[AP News]] |language=en}}</ref> in the direction of Moscow.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kirby |first=Paul |date=2023-06-24 |title=Is this a coup? What is Prigozhin doing in Russia? |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66006880 |access-date=2023-06-24 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624153213/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66006880 |url-status=live }}</ref> After brokering a deal with Belarusian president [[Alexander Lukashenko]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9cd09366-25db-4057-a41d-0ea04b659d97#post-afe02cd3-667f-458f-a4dd-52a3a5133bb8 |title=Belarus claims deal with Prigozhin to end advance on Moscow |date=24 June 2023 |last=Seddon |first=Max |work=[[Financial Times]] |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref> Prigozhin agreed to stand down.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9cd09366-25db-4057-a41d-0ea04b659d97#post-e5d60873-da90-4116-a3f7-fe859734f2ca |title=Prigozhin says Wagner has agreed to stand down |date=24 June 2023 |last1=Seddon |first1=Max |last2=Ivanova |first2=Polina |work=[[Financial Times]] |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref>

In response, the [[Federal Security Service]] (FSB) opened a criminal case against Prigozhin for "inciting an armed revolt".<ref name="tmt" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sauer |first=Pjotr |date=23 June 2023 |title=Wagner chief accuses Moscow of lying to public about Ukraine |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/23/wagner-chief-accuses-moscow-of-lying-to-public-about-ukraine-yevgeny-prigozhin |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623183228/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/23/wagner-chief-accuses-moscow-of-lying-to-public-about-ukraine-yevgeny-prigozhin |archive-date=23 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In a televised address on 24 June, Putin called Wagner's actions "[[treason]]" and vowed to suppress the rebellion.<ref name="tmt" /><ref name="PutinSpeech2">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-24 |title=Путин назвал мятеж Пригожина "предательством" и "изменой" |trans-title=Putin calls Prigozhin's rebellion "betrayal" and "treason" |url=https://meduza.io/news/2023/06/24/putin-nazval-myatezh-prigozhina-predatelstvom-i-izmenoy |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[Meduza]] |language=ru}}</ref>

=== Wagner Group and Prigozhin ===

{{See also|Wagner Group#Relationship with the Russian state}}

[[File:YevgenyPrigozhin.jpg|thumb|[[Yevgeny Prigozhin]], leader of the [[Wagner Group]], attended a September 2010 event about [[Industry in Russia|Russian factory production]] toured by Putin.]]

Prigozhin formerly served as a personal confidant of Putin, according to multiple media reports. He rose to [[celebrity]] status initially as a business magnate in [[Saint Petersburg]] known for a series of popular [[restaurant]]s, which led to a growing financial relationship with Putin given the latter's role as a city politician.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Armitage |first=Rebecca |date=24 June 2023 |title=Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner warlord and former Putin ally, accused of mounting a mutiny in Russia? |work=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC Australia]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-24/wagners-apparent-mutiny-attempt-in-russia-explained/102519842 |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624051054/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-24/wagners-apparent-mutiny-attempt-in-russia-explained/102519842 |archive-date=24 June 2023}}</ref> In 2014, he founded the Wagner Group, a Russian [[private military company]], and during the next several years he facilitated armed campaigns in areas such as inside the [[Donbas]]. Prigozhin also engaged in [[Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections|interference in the 2016 U.S. elections]] using his companies as backing and otherwise worked under Putin.<ref name="NPR">{{Cite web |last=Maynes |first=Charles |date=6 March 2023 |title=Yevgeny Prigozhin, 'Putin's Chef,' has emerged from the shadows with his Wagner Group |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/03/06/1160851615/russia-putin-chef-yevgeny-prigozhin-wagner-group |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524171857/https://www.npr.org/2023/03/06/1160851615/russia-putin-chef-yevgeny-prigozhin-wagner-group |archive-date=24 May 2023 |access-date=23 June 2023 |publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref>

As a tool of Russian foreign and military policy, the Wagner Group became a formidable fighting force in Africa (engaging in [[Mali War|warfare in Mali]], [[Wagner Group activities in Libya|in Libya]], and [[Wagner Group activities in the Central African Republic|in the Central African Republic]]) and in the Middle East (during [[Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war|Russia's battles in Syria in support of Bashar al-Assad]], the Wagner Group played a prominent role).<ref name=Graham-Harrison>Emma Graham-Harrison, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/24/yevgeny-prigozhin-wagner-uprising-likely-to-help-ukraine-by-draining-russian-resources Why did Wagner turn on Putin and what does it mean for Ukraine?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624164012/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/24/yevgeny-prigozhin-wagner-uprising-likely-to-help-ukraine-by-draining-russian-resources |date=24 June 2023 }}, ''Guardian'' (June 24, 2023).</ref><ref name=Knickmeyer>Ellen Knickmeyer, [https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-prigozhin-wagner-profile-e1939a58f216551b1a20157cc3803085 Prigozhin, the mercenary chief urging an uprising against Russia’s generals, has long ties to Putin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624044636/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-prigozhin-wagner-profile-e1939a58f216551b1a20157cc3803085 |date=24 June 2023 }}, Associated Press (June 23, 2023).</ref> Wagner became notorious for its brutality and war crimes in Africa, the Middle East, and Ukraine, committing atrocities with [[impunity]].<ref name=Knickmeyer/><ref>[https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-wagner-group-yevgeny-prigozhin-803da2e3ceda5dace7622cac611087fc Brutality of Russia’s Wagner gives it lead in Ukraine war] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624032421/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-wagner-group-yevgeny-prigozhin-803da2e3ceda5dace7622cac611087fc |date=24 June 2023 }}, Associated Press (January 27, 2023).</ref><ref>Catrina Doxsee and Jared Thompson, [https://www.csis.org/analysis/massacres-executions-and-falsified-graves-wagner-groups-mounting-humanitarian-cost-mali Massacres, Executions, and Falsified Graves: The Wagner Group's Mounting Humanitarian Cost in Mali] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621123321/https://www.csis.org/analysis/massacres-executions-and-falsified-graves-wagner-groups-mounting-humanitarian-cost-mali |date=21 June 2023 }}, Center for Strategic and International Studies (May 11, 2022).</ref> The Wagner Group had close ties to several [[List of African Union member states by political system|African governments]] and fought anti-government rebels alongside local forces.<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia's Wagner Group in Africa: More than mercenaries |url=https://www.dw.com/en/russias-wagner-group-in-africa-more-than-mercenaries/a-64822234 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=26 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Wagner revolt clouds outlook for its operations in Africa |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/wagner-revolt-russia-clouds-outlook-its-operations-africa-2023-06-24/ |work=Reuters |date=24 June 2023}}</ref>

In February 2022, [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine]]. The influence and [[Power (social and political)|power]] of Prigozhin and the Wagner Group rose. The estimated number of Wagner members grew from "several thousand" fighters around 2017 to 2018 up to a total of about 50,000 fighters by January 2023, according to Western intelligence estimates. Despite its being given increasingly larger supplies of resources by the [[Government of Russia|government of Russia]], the Wagner Group and its financial administration received no legal authority under the nation's laws; Prigozhin was neither appointed nor elected, which meant that he technically had no authority above him to answer to.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Блеф или военный мятеж? Что означает ультиматум Евгения Пригожина |url=https://belsat.eu/ru/news/05-05-2023-blef-ili-voennyj-myatezh-chto-oznachaet-ultimatum-evgeniya-prigozhina |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=belsat.eu}}</ref> In addition, Prigozhin reversed his attitude towards his previously secluded personal life and experienced international fame.<ref name="NPR" />

==== Prigozhin's criticism of Russia's elite ====

Prigozhin frequently criticized the military leadership for failing to do their best to uphold Russia's interests. He criticized Defence Minister [[Sergei Shoigu]]'s children for "spending money aimlessly" while "ordinary people's children are coming back in zinc [coffins], torn to pieces" because of war. He warned that this "split in society" between the elite and the ordinary people could lead to events similar to the 1917 [[Russian Revolution]], with "soldiers and their loved ones" rising up.<ref name="Korea">{{Cite web |date=5 June 2023 |title=Prigozhin suggests that Russia follow North Korea's example so the country isn't "screwed up" |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/05/24/7403623/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622115345/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/05/24/7403623/ |archive-date=22 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[Ukrainska Pravda]]}}</ref> Prigozhin said that the Russian elite should send their children to war, so people consider things to be fair.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 May 2023 |title='We need to take a page from North Korea's book' Evgeny Prigozhin speaks even more frankly than usual in new 77-minute interview |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/05/24/we-need-to-take-a-page-from-north-korea-s-book |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622211150/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/05/24/we-need-to-take-a-page-from-north-korea-s-book |archive-date=22 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[Meduza]] |language=ru}}</ref>

Prigozhin described as traitors "people who fly on their business jets to the so-called neutral countries to avoid participating in today's problems".<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 November 2022 |script-title=ru:«Часть предателей отсиживается в кабинетах»: Евгений Пригожин назвал категорию людей, которых считает предателями России |url=https://nevnov.ru/23749629-_chast_predatelei_otsizhivaetsya_v_kabinetah_evgenii_prigozhin_nazval_kategoriyu_lyudei_kotorih_schitaet_predatelyami_rossii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114223432/https://nevnov.ru/23749629-_chast_predatelei_otsizhivaetsya_v_kabinetah_evgenii_prigozhin_nazval_kategoriyu_lyudei_kotorih_schitaet_predatelyami_rossii |archive-date=14 November 2022 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=Nevnov.ru |language=ru}}</ref> He criticized the elite for enjoying "public, luxurious, carefree life" during the war. In contrast, to "survive as a nation", Prigozhin claimed that Russia should prepare for a "difficult war": introduce martial law, announce new waves of mobilization, as well as "get everyone we can producing ammunition" and "close borders like [[North Korea]]". However, according to Prigozhin, part of the elite does not care about their homeland and therefore would not sacrifice their comfortable lives for their country.<ref name="Korea" />

Prigozhin attacked [[Russian oligarchs]], who he accused of destroying the [[Soviet Union]] and taking control over Russia's wealth, while not caring about fighting for Russia's interests. According to Prigozhin, during the war "oligarchs try to steal everything, which belongs to the people".<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2022 |script-title=ru:«Олигархи пытаются украсть все, что принадлежит народу»: Пригожин обвинил бизнес в разворовывании России |url=https://kapital-rus.ru/news/391515-oligarhi_pytautsya_ukrast_vse_chto_prinadlejit_narodu_prigojin_obvin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203192142/https://kapital-rus.ru/news/391515-oligarhi_pytautsya_ukrast_vse_chto_prinadlejit_narodu_prigojin_obvin/ |archive-date=3 December 2022 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=Kapital-rus.ru |language=ru}}</ref>

=== Wagner Group activities in Ukraine ===

{{Main|Wagner Group activities in Ukraine}}

According to news website ''[[Meduza]]'', on the eve of the invasion of Ukraine, Prigozhin developed tense relations with the Russian leadership, coming into conflict with both the Ministry of Defence and the [[Presidential Administration of Russia|Presidential Administration]]. Prigozhin criticized Defence Minister [[Sergei Shoigu]] for the [[Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war|actions of the Russian army in Syria]], saying that the military was operating there with "outdated methods." In turn, Shoigu did not like the provision of food for the army by Prigozhin's companies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A mercenaries' war How Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to a 'secret mobilization' that allowed oligarch Evgeny Prigozhin to win back Putin's favor |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/07/14/a-mercenaries-war |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113132904/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/07/14/a-mercenaries-war |archive-date=13 January 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[Meduza]] |language=en}}</ref>

In the first months of the invasion of Ukraine, the [[Russian Ground Forces|Russian army]] suffered significant losses, but Putin delayed the announcement of [[2022 Russian mobilization|mobilization]] for a long time. Under such conditions, the authorities began to actively recruit mercenaries to participate in the hostilities. Prigozhin received significant resources, including his own aviation, and the right to recruit prisoners into Wagner. Wagner was seen as turning into a private army of Prigozhin, operating outside Russian legislation and outside the country's military hierarchy. The Ministry of Defence and the [[General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation|General Staff]] were unhappy with this situation and began trying to limit Prigozhin's growing influence.<ref name=":2" /> Prigozhin began to publicly criticize the Ministry in harsh terms.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lotareva |first1=Anastasia |last2=Barabanov |first2=Ilya |date=5 June 2023 |script-title=ru:ЧВК "Вагнер" задержал подполковника российской армии и заставил извиниться. Что происходит? |language=ru |work=[[BBC News Russian|BBC News Русская служба]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-65812906 |url-status=live |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621123055/https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-65812906 |archive-date=21 June 2023}}</ref>

In the summer of 2022, Prigozhin was permitted to begin recruiting [[Prisons in Russia|inmates from Russian prisons]] into the Wagner group.<ref name=ReutersHalt>[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-wagner-mercenaries-halt-prisoner-recruitment-campaign-founder-prigozhin-2023-02-09/ Russia's Wagner mercenaries halt prisoner recruitment campaign - Prigozhin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519200050/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-wagner-mercenaries-halt-prisoner-recruitment-campaign-founder-prigozhin-2023-02-09/ |date=19 May 2023 }}, Reuters (February 9, 2023).</ref> The Russian inmates were promised amnesty and pardons in exchange for fighting.<ref name=ReutersHalt/><ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/21/russia-moves-to-legalise-prisoners-fighting-in-ukraine-war Russia moves to legalise prisoners fighting in Ukraine war] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622212833/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/21/russia-moves-to-legalise-prisoners-fighting-in-ukraine-war |date=22 June 2023 }}, Al Jazeera (June 21, 2023).</ref> It was unclear how many prisoners were recruited into Wagner, but the Russian penal service figures reported a massive drop in the prison population dropping (of over 20,000 inmates) between August and November 2022.<ref name=ReutersHalt/> By December 2022, the U.S. intelligence community had assessed that approximately 40,000 Russian convict fighters were in Ukraine, composing the "vast majority" of Wagner fighters in the country.<ref name=ReutersHalt/> Prigozhin claimed in early February 2023 that Wagner had stopped recruiting prisoners.<ref>Ivan Nechepurenko, [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/world/europe/russia-wagner-prisoners-ukraine.html Wagner, the Russian mercenary group, says it has stopped recruiting prisoners.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526002321/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/world/europe/russia-wagner-prisoners-ukraine.html |date=26 May 2023 }}, ''New York Times'' (February 9, 2023).</ref>  

In a February 17, 2023 briefing, the [[White House National Security Council]] stated that the Wagner group suffered more than 30,000 casualties since the invasion a year earlier, with about 9,000 of those [[killed in action]].<ref name=KIAFeb2023>[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/white-house-wagner-group-has-suffered-over-30000-casualties-ukraine-2023-02-17/ White House: Wagner Group has suffered over 30,000 casualties in Ukraine], Reuters (February 17, 2023).</ref> The U.S. estimates that 90% of Wagner fighters killed were convicts.<ref name=KIAFeb2023/> The U.S. also estimated that almost half of the 20,000 Russia troops killed in Ukraine from December 2022 through June 2023 were Wagner fighters who died in the [[battle of Bakhmut]].<ref name=Knickmeyer/>

On 5 June 2023, as tensions escalated, Prigozhin released a video on his social media channels alleging to show the captured Lt. Colonel Roman Venevitin of Russia's 72nd Brigade, admitting to have ordered his troops to fire on Wagner troops, allegedly while drunk.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sauer |first=Pjotr |date=5 June 2023 |title=Wagner captures Russian commander as Prigozhin feud with army escalates |language=en-GB |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/05/wagner-group-release-video-of-captured-russian-commander |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622115736/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/05/wagner-group-release-video-of-captured-russian-commander |archive-date=22 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]] |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Farberov |first=Snejana |date=5 June 2023 |title=Russian officer captured, accused of firing on mercenaries |url=https://nypost.com/2023/06/05/russian-officer-captured-accused-of-firing-on-mercenaries/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611230931/https://nypost.com/2023/06/05/russian-officer-captured-accused-of-firing-on-mercenaries/ |archive-date=11 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=June 2023|reason=See [[WP:NYPOST]]}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 2023 |title=Wagner Captures Russian Soldier Accused of Firing on Its Positions |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/06/05/wagner-captures-russian-soldier-accused-of-firing-on-its-positions-a81395 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613033027/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/06/05/wagner-captures-russian-soldier-accused-of-firing-on-its-positions-a81395 |archive-date=13 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[The Moscow Times]] |language=en}}</ref>

In a video released on 23 June 2023, Prigozhin said that [[Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian government justifications]] for the Russian invasion of Ukraine were based on lies. According to Prigozhin, Russia's war in Ukraine was intended to benefit Russian elites.<ref>{{cite news |title=Russian mercenary chief appears to threaten rebellion, questions invasion |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/stunning-rebuke-putin-wagner-chief-russias-invasion-ukraine/story?id=100335756 |work=ABC News |date=23 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623205019/https://abcnews.go.com/International/stunning-rebuke-putin-wagner-chief-russias-invasion-ukraine/story?id=100335756 |url-status=live }}</ref> He accused the Ministry of Defence under Shoigu of "trying to deceive society and the president and tell us how there was crazy aggression from Ukraine and that they were planning to attack us with the whole of NATO."<ref>{{cite news |title=Wagner head Prigozhin says Russian army attacked his forces |url=https://www.dw.com/en/wagner-head-prigozhin-says-russian-army-attacked-his-forces/a-66016855 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=23 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623194309/https://www.dw.com/en/wagner-head-prigozhin-says-russian-army-attacked-his-forces/a-66016855 |url-status=live}}</ref> Prigozhin said the Russian military command was deliberately concealing the number of [[Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War|soldiers killed in Ukraine]], claiming that Russian casualties, including those killed, missing and wounded, reached 1,000 on some days.<ref name="politico-civilwar" />

== Timeline of events ==

A video was circulated in Wagner-associated [[Telegram (software)|Telegram channels]], which—according to Prigozhin—had been recorded at a Wagner camp that had been attacked by a missile.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prigozhin zayavil, chto Minoborony RF udarilo po pozitsiyam CHVK Vagnera. "Eta tvar' budet ostanovlena", — skazal Prigozhin o Shoygu |script-title=ru:Пригожин заявил, что Минобороны РФ ударило по позициям ЧВК Вагнера. «Эта тварь будет остановлена», — сказал Пригожин о Шойгу |trans-title=Prigozhin said that the Russian Defense Ministry hit the positions of the Wagner PMC. "This creature will be stopped," said Prigozhin about Shoigu |url=https://meduza.io/news/2023/06/23/prigozhin-zayavil-ob-udare-minoborony-rf-po-pozitsiyam-chvk-vagnera-sleduyuschiy-shag-za-nami-zayavil-biznesmen |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=Meduza |language=ru}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|''[[Bellingcat]]'' journalist Arik Toler noted that the location of the alleged strike coincides with previously filmed videos of war correspondent Alexander Simonov, who visited the camp.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Toler |first=Aric |date=23 June 2023 |title=Site of Alleged Wagner Camp Attack Recently Visited by War Blogger |work=[[Bellingcat]] |url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2023/06/23/site-of-alleged-wagner-camp-attack-recently-visited-by-war-blogger/ |url-status=live |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623222808/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2023/06/23/site-of-alleged-wagner-camp-attack-recently-visited-by-war-blogger/ |archive-date=23 June 2023}}</ref>}} Prigozhin announced the beginning of an armed conflict with the Ministry of Defence in a message posted in the Telegram channel of his press service. He urged anyone who wanted to join the conflict against the Ministry to do so; accused Shoigu of using artillery and helicopters to destroy Wagner, and alleged that Shoigu had "cowardly fled from [[Rostov-on-Don]] at nine in the evening".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vystupleniye Prigozhina zvuchit kak ob"yavleniye o nachale voyennogo perevorota (khotya, kazhetsya, perevoroty nachinayutsya ne s etogo) Vot chto on skazal. Polnaya rasshifrovka |script-title=ru:Выступление Пригожина звучит как объявление о начале военного переворота (хотя, кажется, перевороты начинаются не с этого) Вот что он сказал. Полная расшифровка |trans-title=Prigozhin's speech sounds like an announcement about the beginning of a military coup (although it seems that coups do not begin with this) Here's what he said. Full transcript |url=https://meduza.io/feature/2023/06/23/prigozhin-ob-yavil-chto-fakticheski-sobiraetsya-osuschestvit-voennyy-perevorot-v-rossii-nazvav-ego-marshem-spravedlivosti |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623204750/https://meduza.io/feature/2023/06/23/prigozhin-ob-yavil-chto-fakticheski-sobiraetsya-osuschestvit-voennyy-perevorot-v-rossii-nazvav-ego-marshem-spravedlivosti |archive-date=23 June 2023 |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=Meduza |language=ru}}</ref>

The Ministry of Defence denied accusations of attacking the rear camps of Wagner.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 June 2023 |title=FSB vozbudila protiv Yevgeniya Prigozhina delo o prizyvakh k myatezhu |script-title=ru:ФСБ возбудила против Евгения Пригожина дело о призывах к мятежу |language=ru |trans-title=FSB opened a case against Yevgeny Prigozhin for incitement to rebellion |work=Радио Свобода |url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/prigozhin-obvinil-minoborony-rf-v-udarah-po-tylu-chvk-vagner-/32472895.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623195842/https://www.svoboda.org/a/prigozhin-obvinil-minoborony-rf-v-udarah-po-tylu-chvk-vagner-/32472895.html |archive-date=23 June 2023}}</ref> After that, the [[Prosecutor-General of Russia|Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation]] reported that a case had been initiated against Prigozhin under Article 279 of the [[Criminal Code of Russia|Criminal Code of the Russian Federation]] (armed rebellion).<ref>{{Cite web |title=FSB vozbudila ugolovnoye delo o prizyvakh k vooruzhennomu myatezhu posle zayavleniy Prigozhina o yego "marshe spravedlivosti" v Rossii |script-title=ru:ФСБ возбудила уголовное дело о призывах к вооруженному мятежу после заявлений Пригожина о его «марше справедливости» в России |trans-title=The FSB opened a criminal case on calls for an armed rebellion after Prigozhin's statements about his "march of justice" in Russia |url=https://meduza.io/news/2023/06/23/fsb-vozbudila-ugolovnoe-delo-o-prizyvah-k-vooruzhennomu-myatezhu-posle-zayavleniy-prigozhina-o-ego-marshe-spravedlivosti-v-rossii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623200646/https://meduza.io/news/2023/06/23/fsb-vozbudila-ugolovnoe-delo-o-prizyvah-k-vooruzhennomu-myatezhu-posle-zayavleniy-prigozhina-o-ego-marshe-spravedlivosti-v-rossii |archive-date=23 June 2023 |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=Meduza |language=ru}}</ref> Generals [[Sergey Surovikin]] and Vladimir Alekseev appealed to the Wagner fighters, urging them to "stop".<ref>{{Cite web |title="Poka ne pozdno, nuzhno ostanovit' kolonny i podchinit'sya vole prezidenta». General Surovikin prizval boytsov CHVK Vagnera «reshit' voprosy mirnym putem" |script-title=ru:"Пока не поздно, нужно остановить колонны и подчиниться воле президента». Генерал Суровикин призвал бойцов ЧВК Вагнера «решить вопросы мирным путем" |trans-title="Before it's too late, you need to stop the columns and obey the will of the president." General Surovikin called on the Wagner PMC fighters "to resolve issues peacefully" |url=https://meduza.io/news/2023/06/24/poka-ne-pozdno-nuzhno-ostanovit-kolonny-i-podchinitsya-vole-prezidenta-general-surovikin-prizval-boytsov-chvk-vagnera-reshit-voprosy-mirnym-putem |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=[[Meduza]] |language=ru}}</ref> Russia's state-run [[Channel One Russia|First Channel]] announced an "emergency newscast", in which host [[Ekaterina Andreeva (journalist)|Ekaterina Andreeva]] claimed that Prigozhin's statements regarding alleged attacks by regular military forces on Wagner positions were fake and that President Putin had been informed of the ongoing situation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 June 2023 |title=On Channel One there was an emergency newscast about Prigozhin and Wagner PMC |url=https://westobserver.com/news/europe/on-channel-one-there-was-an-emergency-newscast-about-prigozhin-and-wagner-pmc/ |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=West Observer |language=en}}</ref> In response to Prigozhin's statements, the military and [[National Guard of Russia|national guard]] deployed armored vehicles in both Moscow and Rostov-on-Don.<ref name="mut">{{Cite news |date=23 June 2023 |title=Russian Generals Accuse Mercenary Leader of Trying to Mount a Coup |language=en |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/23/world/russia-ukraine-news |url-status=live |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623125623/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/23/world/russia-ukraine-news |archive-date=23 June 2023}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|Rostov-on-Don is near the frontlines in Ukraine where Wagner troops had been operating, and is also where Prigozhin had claimed that Wagner troops were headed.<ref name="mut" /> It is directly connected to Moscow by the [[M4 highway (Russia)|M-4 Highway]].<ref name="helicopters" />}}

During the night from 23 to 24 June, an audio recording was released on behalf of Prigozhin, who claimed that Wagner was entering Rostov-on-Don and called on regular military forces not to oppose his army.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prigozhin zayavil, chto "my vkhodim v Rostov". Etomu net dokazatel'stv |script-title=ru:Пригожин заявил, что «мы входим в Ростов». Этому нет доказательств |trans-title=Prigogine said that "we are entering Rostov." There is no evidence for this |url=https://meduza.io/news/2023/06/24/prigozhin-zayavil-chto-my-vhodim-v-rostov-etomu-net-dokazatelstv |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=Meduza |language=ru}}</ref> In another audio recording, he said that the head of the General Staff had ordered [[Russian Air Force|the country's air force]] to open fire on Wagner columns moving among civilian vehicles, accusing the General Staff of disregarding lives of innocent people, "just as they have been killing their own population for a year and half instead of fighting the enemy". He also claimed that some pilots refused to carry out the General Staff's orders, and thanked them.<ref name="shot" /> ''The Guardian'' noted that Wagner's claims to exert control over Rostov "cannot be independently verified and Prigozhin has a history of making outlandish and inaccurate statements" but reported that the situation in the region was clearly tumultous.<ref name=Yerushalmy/>

Putin's press secretary [[Dmitry Peskov]] described the ongoing situation as an "attempted mutiny" and stated that Russia's military agencies were day and night reporting on Putin's orders to him about the recent events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peskov rasskazal, kak Putin sledit za myatezhom Prigozhina |script-title=ru:Песков рассказал, как Путин следит за мятежом Пригожина |trans-title=Peskov told how Putin is following Prigozhin's rebellion |url=https://ura.news/news/1052660550 |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=URA News |language=ru}}</ref> Amid Prigozhin's statements, Russia blocked [[Google News]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grant |first=Nico |date=23 June 2023 |title=Russia blocks Google News amid growing feud with mercenary leader. |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/23/world/europe/google-news-russia-prigozhin.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624003351/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/23/world/europe/google-news-russia-prigozhin.html |archive-date=24 June 2023}}</ref>

=== 24 June ===

==== Developments in Rostov-on-Don ====

[[File:Yunus-bek Yevkurov (15-08-2019).jpg|thumb|180px|Prigozhin met with Russia's Deputy Defense Minister [[Yunus-bek Yevkurov]] in Rostov-on-Don. Yevkurov failed to convince Prigozhin to withdraw his troops.<ref name="Meduza-24 June 2023/>]]

[[Kadyrovites]] were reportedly sent to Rostov;<ref name="opublikovano">{{Cite web |title=Опубликовано видео с колонной чеченских военных, которая направляется в сторону Ростова-на-Дону |trans-title=A video has been published of a convoy of Chechen soldiers heading towards Rostov-on-Don |url=https://meduza.io/news/2023/06/24/opublikovano-video-s-kolonnoy-chechenskih-voennyh-kotoraya-napravlyaetsya-v-storonu-rostova-na-donu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624125740/https://meduza.io/news/2023/06/24/opublikovano-video-s-kolonnoy-chechenskih-voennyh-kotoraya-napravlyaetsya-v-storonu-rostova-na-donu |archive-date=24 June 2023 |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=Meduza |language=ru}}</ref> they either refused to enter the city or peacefully surrendered themselves to Wagner forces.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kotov |first1=Oleg |title=Most of the Kadyrovites stand outside Rostov and do not enter the city |url=https://en.socportal.info/en/news/osnovnaya-chast-kadyrovtcev-stoyat-pod-rostovym-i-ne-vezzhaiut-v-gorod/ |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=en.socportal.info |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624161736/https://en.socportal.info/en/news/osnovnaya-chast-kadyrovtcev-stoyat-pod-rostovym-i-ne-vezzhaiut-v-gorod/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

After capturing Rostov, Wagner fighters began to advance toward Moscow (a distance of 1,100 km (680 mile) from Rostov); by June 24, Wagner fighters had driven past [[Voronezh]], more than halfway to the capital.<ref name=turnback>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/wagner-head-suggests-his-mercenaries-headed-moscow-take-army-leadership-2023-06-24/|title=Rebel Russian mercenaries will turn back to avoid bloodshed, leader says|agency=Reuters|date=24 June 2023}}</ref> The same day, Wagner passed [[Lipetsk Oblast]], approximately 400 km (250 miles) from Moscow.<ref>[https://www.barrons.com/news/wagner-forces-in-russia-s-lipetsk-region-south-of-moscow-governor-a01c6579 Wagner Forces In Russia's Lipetsk Region South Of Moscow: Governor], Agence France-Presse (June 24, 2023).</ref>

In an audio message, Prigozhin claimed that Wagner fighters shot down a military helicopter that opened fire on a convoy.<ref name="shot">{{Cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=Wagner Chief Claims His Forces Downed Russian Military Helicopter |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/wagner-chief-claims-his-forces-downed-russian-military-helicopter-690d7e3d |url-status=live |website=Barrons.com}}</ref>

Prigozhin was charged with organizing an armed uprising after he threatened to attack Russian forces in answer to an air strike on his paramilitary soldiers. Security forces accused him of launching a coup attempt as he pledged a "march of justice" against the army. Prigozhin posted a voice memo claiming that Wagner had left Ukraine and was advancing on Rostov-on-Don. Senior generals urged Wagner's fighters to withdraw. Meanwhile, the FSB said it had filed criminal charges against Prigozhin and moved to arrest him.<ref name="Seddon">{{Cite news |last=Seddon |first=Max |date=24 June 2023 |title=Russia charges Wagner leader with organizing an armed uprising |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/56d4abbf-e6cd-484b-bd13-a071f52edc53 |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623191124/https://www.ft.com/content/56d4abbf-e6cd-484b-bd13-a071f52edc53 |archive-date=23 June 2023}}</ref>

A convoy of Wagner personnel advancing in the direction of the capital came under attack from Russian helicopters.<ref name=turnback/> The governors of [[Lipetsk Oblast]] and [[Voronezh Oblast]] urged all civilians to stay indoors, following reports of military columns and clashes along the highway.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=LIVE: Moscow accuses Wagner head of mutiny, after he vows to oust military leadership |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230624-live-moscow-accuses-wagner-head-of-mutiny-he-says-his-forces-enter-russia |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[France 24]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Russia-Ukraine war live: Wagner forces 'control' Rostov army HQ |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/6/24/russia-ukraine-live-news-russia-accuses-wagner-chief-of-mutiny |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[Al Jazeera]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Soni |first=Shubham |date=24 June 2023 |title=Has Wagner Group reached Voronezh, reports of fighting in Oblast halfway between Moscow and Rostov {{!}} Watch Video |url=https://opoyi.com/world/has-wagner-group-reached-voronezh-reports-of-fighting-in-oblast-halfway-between-moscow-and-rostov-watch-video/ |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=opoyi}}</ref> The [[Mayor of Moscow]], [[Sergei Sobyanin]], announced that anti-terrorist measures were being implemented in the capital.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bivings |first=Lili |date=24 June 2023 |title=Moscow mayor says 'anti-terrorist measures' being taken in city |url=https://kyivindependent.com/moscow-mayor-says-anti-terrorist-measures-being-carried-out-in-city/ |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[The Kyiv Independent]]}}</ref>

Prigozhin met with Russia's Deputy Defense Minister [[Yunus-bek Yevkurov]] at the Southern Military District's headquarters in Rostov-on-Don. Yevkurov tried and failed to convince Prigozhin to withdraw his troops. Prigozhin told Yevkurov that "People are dying [in Ukraine] because you're [[Attrition warfare|throwing them into the meat grinder]]. Without ammunition, without any thoughts, without any plans."<ref name="Meduza-24 June 2023>{{cite news |title='We're saving Russia' In a meeting with military leaders, Yevgeny Prigozhin demanded respect. Read the transcript. |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/06/24/we-re-saving-russia |work=[[Meduza]] |date=24 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624125250/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/06/24/we-re-saving-russia |url-status=live}}</ref>

Social media posts showed footage of fighting between Wagner troops and the military in Voronezh,{{refn|group=note|Voronezh is halfway between Rostov-on-Don and Moscow.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />}} with Reuters citing military reports.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Soni |first=Shubham |date=24 June 2023 |title=Has Wagner Group reached Voronezh, reports of fighting in Oblast halfway between Moscow and Rostov {{!}} Watch Video |url=https://opoyi.com/world/has-wagner-group-reached-voronezh-reports-of-fighting-in-oblast-halfway-between-moscow-and-rostov-watch-video/ |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=Opoyi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Livemint |date=24 June 2023 |title=Wagner army takes control of millitary units in Voronezh. Russia-Ukraine LIVE |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/world/russia-live-updates-wagner-chief-russian-military-leadership-putin-ukraine-11687571201382.html |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=Wagner controls military facilities in Voronezh, 500 km south of Moscow |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/wagner-controls-military-facilities-in-voronezh-500-km-south-of-moscow-1230759.html |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> According to media reports, Wagner group took control of all military facilities in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=Reuters: ЧВК Вагнера захватила военные объекты в Воронеже |url=https://meduza.io/news/2023/06/24/reuters-chvk-vagnera-zahvatila-vse-voennye-ob-ekty-v-voronezhe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624070926/https://meduza.io/news/2023/06/24/reuters-chvk-vagnera-zahvatila-vse-voennye-ob-ekty-v-voronezhe |archive-date=24 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=Meduza |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Regan |first1=Helen |last2=Raine |first2=Andrew |date=24 June 2023 |title=Russia accuses Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin of urging "armed rebellion": Live updates |language=en |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-24-23/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624073110/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-24-23/index.html |archive-date=24 June 2023}}</ref><ref name=turnback/>

A few hours later, the [[BBC]] verified that Wagner personnel were spotted advancing through the [[Lipetsk Oblast]], between Voronezh and Moscow.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wagner convoy seen in region south of Moscow |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-66006142?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=6496d782523d5b1261708497%26Wagner%20convoy%20seen%20in%20region%20south%20of%20Moscow%262023-06-24T12%3A13%3A31.989Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:4de0773e-1e2e-4915-9385-9e350a6c3565&pinned_post_asset_id=6496d782523d5b1261708497&pinned_post_type=share |website=[[BBC]] |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624134423/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-66006142?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=6496d782523d5b1261708497&Wagner%20convoy%20seen%20in%20region%20south%20of%20Moscow&2023-06-24T12:13:31.989Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:4de0773e-1e2e-4915-9385-9e350a6c3565&pinned_post_asset_id=6496d782523d5b1261708497&pinned_post_type=share |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Reuters]]'' reported that outside Voronezh, Wagner forces were attacked by a helicopter.<ref name=turnback/><ref>{{cite web |title=Putin: Wagner revolt is a betrayal, deadly threat to Russia's existence |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-747496 |website=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref> ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' reported that all flights out of Moscow were sold out as people attempted to flee the oncoming column.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moloney |first1=Charlie |title=Wagner uprising shows Russia's 'full-scale' weakness and chaos, says Zelenskiy – Ukraine war live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jun/23/russia-ukraine-war-live-russia-investigates-mutiny-as-wagner-chief-says-evil-military-leaders-must-be-stopped?page=with:block-6496e5cc8f08657ec73221ff#block-6496e5cc8f08657ec73221ff |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=24 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref>

British newspaper ''[[The Independent]]'' reported broadly that "armed rebellion is marching towards Moscow". According to the airplane-tracking website [[Flightradar24]], an airplane used by Putin departed Moscow and flew towards St. Petersburg. According to Kremlin spokesman [[Dmitry Peskov]], Putin was not on board,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/06/24/russia-ukraine-coup-wagner-kremlin-yevgeny-prigozhin/|title=Russia coup latest: Kremlin denies Putin has fled Moscow|work=The Telegraph|accessdate=24 June 2023|date=24 June 2023|archive-date=23 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623235640/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/06/24/russia-ukraine-coup-wagner-kremlin-yevgeny-prigozhin/|url-status=live}}</ref> and remained in the Kremlin.<ref name="Radar">{{Cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=Kremlin denies Putin fled Moscow as plane mysteriously disappears from radar |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/wagner-putin-russia-ukraine-war-live-b2363471.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624142216/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/wagner-putin-russia-ukraine-war-live-b2363471.html |archive-date=24 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>

Authorities also announced travel restrictions in [[Kaluga Oblast]], which neighbors Moscow, with Governor [[Vladislav Shapsha]] saying telling residents to "refrain from travelling by private vehicle on these roads unless absolutely necessary".<ref>{{cite web|title=Travel Restrictions Imposed In Kaluga Region South Of Moscow|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/travel-restrictions-imposed-in-kaluga-region-south-of-moscow-32572487|website=Barron's|date=24 June 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624163749/https://www.barrons.com/news/travel-restrictions-imposed-in-kaluga-region-south-of-moscow-32572487|archive-date=24 June 2023|access-date=24 June 2023|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

The FSB raided the headquarters of PMC Wagner in Saint Petersburg. Unconfirmed Russian media reports said cardboard boxes containing 4 billion rubles ($47 million) were recovered from vehicles near the office. Prigozhin said that the money was meant to pay employee salaries and other company expenses.<ref>{{cite web|title=Russia’s Prigozhin: Cash found near office in St Petersburg is for Wagner expenses|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/06/24/Russia-s-Prigozhin-Cash-found-near-office-in-St-Petersburg-is-for-Wagner-expenses |website=al-Arabiya|date=24 June 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624163902/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/06/24/Russia-s-Prigozhin-Cash-found-near-office-in-St-Petersburg-is-for-Wagner-expenses|archive-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref>

==== Putin's address to the nation ====

[[File:Vladimir Putin (24.06.2023).jpg|thumb|Putin during his address to the nation about the Wagner Group rebellion]]

Putin addressed the nation for the first time since the beginning of the rebellion in a televised address, calling the actions of the Wagner "treason" and promising to take "harsh steps" to suppress the rebellion. Putin claimed that the situation threatened the existence of Russia itself and characterized the rebellion as a "stab in the back" and a "mortal blow" amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, drawing parallels to the [[Russian Revolution]]{{refn|group=note|which happened as the [[Russian Empire]] [[Eastern Front (World War I)|fought in the World War I]]}} and warning about [[Treaty of Brest-Litovsk|losing territories]]. Putin also recalled the "tragedy" of the [[Russian Civil War]] fought between 1917 and 1923.<ref name="politico-civilwar">{{cite news |title=Putin raises specter of civil war as Wagner boss Prigozhin menaces Moscow |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/prigozhin-says-has-taken-control-of-rostov-on-don/ |work=Politico |date=24 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624073806/https://www.politico.eu/article/prigozhin-says-has-taken-control-of-rostov-on-don/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Radar" /> However, Putin did not mention Prigozhin or Wagner explicitly. Putin's assertion was a rebuttal to Prigozhin's previous claims that Russia was losing territories in the Ukraine war because of the mismanagement of the Ministry of Defence and that Wagner's actions against the Ministry were only meant to improve Russia's situation.<ref name="PutinSpeech2" /> Prigozhin stated that his main goal was to remove Shoigu and [[Chief of the General Staff (Russia)|Chief of the General Staff]] [[Valery Gerasimov]] from office.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=Prigozjin kræver to hoveder serveret for at stoppe sin march mod Moskva |trans-title=Prigozhin demands two heads served to stop his march on Moscow |url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/udland/2023-06-24-prigozjin-kraever-to-hoveder-serveret-for-at-stoppe-sin-march-mod-moskva |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=TV2 Nyheder|language=da-DK}}</ref>

Prigozhin replied to Putin's declarations by saying that Wagner refuses to obey the President or the FSB, accusing the Ministry of Defence of betraying the group in Ukraine, enriching themselves through corrupt schemes during the war, and stated that Russia was "fed up being run by corruption and bureaucracy".<ref name="PrigozhinAnswer">{{Cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=Видеообращение Пригожина сегодня: «Мы патриоты – вся ЧВК Вагнер. По поводу предательства президент ошибается» |url=https://omvesti.ru/lyudi-i-sobytiya/videoobrashhenie-prigozhina-segodnya-my-patrioty-vsya-chvk-vagner-po-povodu-predatelstva-prezident-oshibaetsya/ |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=omvesti.ru |language=ru}}</ref>{{unreliable source}}

{{clear left}}

====Talks with Lukashenko and agreement to halt advance====

Belarusian president [[Alexander Lukashenko]] met with Prigozhin on June 24,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/24/world/russia-ukraine-news/b6841df6-2f2b-5167-b4c8-726aacf03b72 |title=President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko of Belarus was in talks on Saturday with the head of the Wagner private military group, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, according to a statement released by the Belarusian state news agency. |date=24 June 2023 |last=Sonne |first=Paul |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref> at Putin's request.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/24/world/russia-ukraine-news/b6841df6-2f2b-5167-b4c8-726aacf03b72?smid=url-share]</ref> Lukashenko apparently brokered an agreement in which Wagner fighters agreed to halt their advance and return to base in exchange for a guarantee of their safety.<ref name=turnback/> In an audio statement, Prigozhin said that he had agreed to the deal to avoid bloodshed<ref name=turnback/> and that his forces were "turning around [their] columns and returning to field camps according to plan".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/24/world/russia-ukraine-news/6f6b8436-00e3-58fc-934d-b452196d70d7 |title=In an audio statement, Yevgeny Prigozhin said he and his Wagner forces were "turning around our columns and returning to field camps according to plan." |date=24 June 2023 |last=Sonne |first=Paul |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref>

=== Domestic reactions ===

* {{flagicon |Chechnya}} [[Chechnya|Chechen Republic]]: Chechen Head [[Ramzan Kadyrov]] called the situation "treason", and stated that his troops were en route to "zones of tension" to "preserve Russia's units and defend its statehood".<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=Chechen leader Kadyrov says his forces ready to help put down Wagner's mutiny |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/06/24/Chechen-leader-Kadyrov-says-his-forces-ready-to-help-put-down-Wagner-s-mutiny |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[Al Arabiya English]] |language=en |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624090539/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/06/24/Chechen-leader-Kadyrov-says-his-forces-ready-to-help-put-down-Wagner-s-mutiny |url-status=live}}</ref>

* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Kursk Oblast.svg}} [[Kursk Oblast]]: Governor [[Roman Starovoyt]] called on Prigozhin to "abandon his plans".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-06-24 |title=Live updates: Putin accuses Wagner chief of stoking 'armed rebellion' |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-24-23/index.html |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624073110/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-24-23/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

* {{Flagicon image|Flag of the LDPR (Current version).svg}} [[Liberal Democratic Party of Russia]]: Party leader [[Leonid Slutsky (politician)|Leonid Slutsky]] called for the prevention of all internal strife and called Prigozhin a traitor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-24 |title=Глава ЛДПР прокомментировал ситуацию вокруг ЧВК "Вагнер" |url=https://www.mk.ru/politics/2023/06/24/glava-ldpr-prokommentiroval-situaciyu-vokrug-chvk-vagner.html |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=[[Moskovskij Komsomolets]] |language=ru}}</ref>

* {{Flagicon image|KPRF Flag.svg}} [[Communist Party of the Russian Federation]]: General Secretary [[Gennady Zyuganov]] called Prigozhin to "abandon personal ambitions and defend the Motherland".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-24 |title=Геннадий Зюганов призвал Пригожина отбросить личные амбиции и защищать Родину |url=https://kprf.ru/party-live/cknews/219681.html |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=CPRF |language=ru |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624123433/https://kprf.ru/party-live/cknews/219681.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

* {{flagicon image|White-blue-white flag.svg}} [[Opposition to Vladimir Putin in Russia|Russian opposition]]

** {{flagicon image|Flag of the Russian Volunteer Corps.svg}} On 23 June, [[Russian Volunteer Corps]] leader [[Denis Kapustin (militant)|Denis Kapustin]] praised Prigozhin, stating, "Although we stand on opposite sides of the barricades and have a different point of view on the future of the Russian Federation, I can quite call him a patriot of Russia, without sarcasm or irony".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kapustin |first=Denis |author-link=Denis Kapustin (militant) |date=23 June 2023 |script-title=ru:Заявление Командира РДК о происходящих событиях в военном руководстве РФ |trans-title=Statement by the Commander of the RDK on the ongoing events in the military leadership of the Russian Federation |url=https://t.me/russvolcorps/628 |website=[[Telegram (software)|Telegram]] |language=ru}}</ref>

** Exiled former oil magnate [[Mikhail Khodorkovsky]] urged Russians to support Prigozhin, saying that it was important to back "even the devil" if he decided to take on the Kremlin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 June 2023 |title= Anti-Kremlin Figure Khodorkovsky Urges Russians To Back Wagner Chief |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/anti-kremlin-figure-khodorkovsky-urges-russians-to-back-wagner-chief-d917a6f6 |website=[[Barron's]] |language=en}}</ref> However, he later called on Russians to arm themselves, while stating that "Prigozhin is not our friend and not even our ally".<ref>{{Cite news |last=null |date=2023-06-24 |title=Russia-Ukraine War: Update from Valerie Hopkins |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/24/world/russia-ukraine-news |access-date=2023-06-24 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624111632/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/24/world/russia-ukraine-news |url-status=live }}</ref>

** {{flagicon image|Flag of the Combat Organization of Anarcho-Communists.svg}} On 24 June, the [[Combat Organization of Anarcho-Communists]] issued a communique, stating that: "neither the Putin regime nor Prigozhin are our friends. In this fight between two cannibals, anarchists should stay away—let them bleed each other as much as possible. That way, they won't be able to disturb people in the future".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://crimethinc.com/2023/06/24/russian-anarchists-on-the-wagner-mutiny-combat-organization-of-anarcho-communists-and-movement-of-irkutsk-anarchists|title=Russian Anarchists on the Wagner Mutiny|date=24 June 2023|access-date=24 June 2023|work=[[CrimethInc.]]|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624094433/https://crimethinc.com/2023/06/24/russian-anarchists-on-the-wagner-mutiny-combat-organization-of-anarcho-communists-and-movement-of-irkutsk-anarchists|url-status=live}}</ref>

* [[File:Monogram Patriarchy Moskiewskiego i całej Rusi, Cyryla..svg|20px]]  [[Russian Orthodox Church]]: [[Patriarch Kirill of Moscow]] called on Russians to pray for Putin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=Putin raises specter of civil war as Wagner boss Prigozhin menaces Moscow |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/prigozhin-says-has-taken-control-of-rostov-on-don/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624073806/https://www.politico.eu/article/prigozhin-says-has-taken-control-of-rostov-on-don/ |archive-date=24 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=[[Politico.eu]] |language=en}}</ref>

* [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine]]

** {{Flagicon image|Flag of Donetsk People's Republic.svg}} [[Donetsk People's Republic]]: DNR Head [[Denis Pushilin]] denounced Prigozhin's action and called citizens to support Putin.<ref name=":0" />

** {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Luhansk People's Republic.svg}} [[Luhansk People's Republic]]: LNR Head [[Leonid Pasechnik]] voiced support for Putin.<ref name=":0" />

** {{Flagicon image|Flag of Kherson Oblast (Russia).svg}} [[Russian occupation of Kherson Oblast|Kherson Oblast]]: [[Vladimir Saldo]], Governor of the Russian-occupied part of [[Kherson Oblast]], voiced support for Putin.<ref name=":1" />

** {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Russian administered Zaporizhzhia Oblast.svg}} [[Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast|Zaporozhye Oblast]]: [[Yevgeny Balitsky]], Governor of the Russian-occupied part of [[Zaporizhzhia Oblast]], voiced support for Putin.<ref name=":1" />

* {{flagicon image|Flag of United Russia.svg}} [[United Russia]]: [[Dmitry Medvedev]], leader of United Russia, deputy chairman of the [[Security Council of Russia]], and former [[President of Russia]] stated that "the world will be put on the brink of destruction" if Wagner would be able to take control of the government and gain access to nuclear weapons.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moloney |first1=Charlie |title=Moscow mayor urges people to stay home as Wagner soldiers advance – Russia-Ukraine war live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jun/23/russia-ukraine-war-live-russia-investigates-mutiny-as-wagner-chief-says-evil-military-leaders-must-be-stopped?page=with:block-6497118e8f08c081c5bb7a2b#block-6497118e8f08c081c5bb7a2b |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref>

*{{flagicon|Belarus}} [[Belarus]]

** The [[Belarusian Foreign Ministry]] stated that the rebellion was a "gift" to Western countries, and warned that it could spell "disaster".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/06/24/Belarus-says-Wagner-mutiny-in-Russia-was-gift-to-Western-countries|date=24 June 2023|title=Belarus says Wagner mutiny in Russia was ‘gift’ to Western countries|access-date=25 June 2023|publisher=al=Arabiya|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624170801/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/06/24/Belarus-says-Wagner-mutiny-in-Russia-was-gift-to-Western-countries|archive-date=24 June 2023|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

*{{flagicon image|Flag of Belarus (1918, 1991–1995).svg}} [[Belarusian opposition]]

** On 24 June, [[Coordination Council (Belarus)|Coordination Council]] president [[Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya]] stated on Twitter that the factional standoff within the Russian forces "exposes the weakness of dictatorships", and that "their regime of terror could collapse at any moment".<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Tsikhanouskaya |first=Sviatlana |author-link=Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya |user=Tsihanouskaya |number=1672516739509231616 |date=24 June 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624130120/https://twitter.com/Tsihanouskaya/status/1672516739509231616|archive-date=June 24, 2023 |title=As the Russian invaders drown in a factional standoff, the situation exposes the weakness of dictatorships. There is no loyalty among criminals who maintain power through fear; their regime of terror could collapse at any moment. We must remain vigilant & stay focused on our main objectives: to support Ukraine in defeating Russian aggression, to liberate Belarus from tyranny & to preserve its independence. |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref> She later stated: "We are witnessing events that will put an end to great tyranny. (…) We must seize this moment now".<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Tsikhanouskaya |first=Sviatlana |author-link=Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya |user=Tsihanouskaya |number=1672638210785132548 |date=24 June 2023 |title=We are witnessing events that will put an end to great tyranny. I believe that Russia will be defeated & that #Ukraine & #Belarus will be free. Today, I've received many hopeful messages from Belarus — from people who see this as a turning point. We must seize this moment now. |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref>

** {{flagicon image|Flag of the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment.svg}} On 24 June, [[Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment]] commander {{illm|Dzianis Prokharaŭ|be|Дзяніс Прохараў}} stated in a video on Twitter that "favorable conditions for the destruction of the dictatorship are rapidly approaching", and that "this is the beginning of the end of the great tyranny".<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Kastus Kalinouski Regiment |author-link=Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment |user=belwarriors |number=1672601122467467276 |date=24 June 2023 |title=Address of the Kalinouski Regiment to Belarusians |access-date=24 June 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624170353/https://twitter.com/belwarriors/status/1672601122467467276|archive-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> He also called on Belarusian military personnel not to interfere in Russia's internal conflict.<ref>{{cite web |title=Belarussische groep: gunstige omstandigheden om dictatuur omver te werpen |url=https://nos.nl/collectie/13939/liveblog/2480088-snelweg-voronezj-moskou-potdicht-prigozjin-rostov-zonder-een-schot-ingenomen#UPDATE-container-70240613 |website=[[Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|NOS]] |access-date=24 June 2023 |language=nl |date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624150508/https://nos.nl/collectie/13939/liveblog/2480088-snelweg-voronezj-moskou-potdicht-prigozjin-rostov-zonder-een-schot-ingenomen#UPDATE-container-70240613 |url-status=live }}</ref>

*{{Flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]

**{{flagicon|Republika Srpska}} President of [[Republika Srpska]] and former Member of [[Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina]] [[Milorad Dodik]] openly supported President Putin in "his efforts to preserve peace and internal stability in Russia and restore order in the military and other forces".<ref>{{cite web |title=У Републици Српској с великoм пажњом пратимо дешавања у вези с оружаном побуном групе Вагнер и вјерујемо да неће доћи до даље ескалације. Такође, вјерујемо и да би западне силе могле да искористе ову ситуацију. У име институција и народа Републике Српске и у лично име, упућујем искрену подршку предсједнику Руске Федерације Владимиру Путину у напорима да сачува мир и унутрашњу стабилност Русије и заведе ред у војним и осталим снагама. Вјерујем да ће мудрост и снага предсједника Путина, као истинског лидера, довести до смиривања ситуације и да ће бити избјегнуте теже посљедице издаје групе Вагнер. |url=https://twitter.com/MiloradDodik/status/1672661181159309315 |website=Twitter |publisher=The official profile of the Republic of Srpska President and the SNSD President}}</ref>

*{{Flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Bulgaria]]

**President [[Rumen Radev]] stated that more information is required to understand what is going on in Russia, but said that this proves the invasion of Ukraine is no longer merely a political problem in Russia but also one of armed conflict, and that "Bulgaria's reaction should be to strengthen its defense capacity within [[NATO]]".<ref name="Novinite">{{cite web |title=Bulgaria's Reaction to the Civil War in Russia |url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/220637/Bulgaria%E2%80%99s+Reaction+to+the+Civil+War+in+Russia |website=[[Novinite]]|access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref>

*{{Flagicon|Canada}} [[Canada]]

**On 24 June, Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] stated on Twitter that they are in contact with their allies and will "continue to monitor the situation closely".<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 24, 2023 |title=What world leaders say so far on Wagner Group chief’s rebellion in Russia |work=[[Global News]] |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9791099/russia-rebellion-live-updates/ |access-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624152313/https://globalnews.ca/news/9791099/russia-rebellion-live-updates/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

** On 24 June, President [[Joe Biden]] spoke with the leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom regarding the situation in Russia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Readout of President Joe Biden’s Call with President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/06/24/readout-of-president-joe-bidens-call-with-president-emmanuel-macron-of-france-chancellor-olaf-scholz-of-germany-and-prime-minister-rishi-sunak-of-the-united-kingdom/ |website=The White House |access-date=24 June 2023 |date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624165137/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/06/24/readout-of-president-joe-bidens-call-with-president-emmanuel-macron-of-france-chancellor-olaf-scholz-of-germany-and-prime-minister-rishi-sunak-of-the-united-kingdom/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

* [[Pugachev's Rebellion]], a 1773–1775 [[Cossack]] insurrection led by disaffected ex-lieutenant [[Yemelyan Pugachev]] against [[Catherine the Great|Empress Catherine II]].

* [[Decembrist revolt]], an 1825 revolt by disaffected Imperial soldiers against [[Nicholas I of Russia|Emperor Nicholas I]], in order to replace him with his brother [[Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia|Grand Duke Konstantin]].

* [[Kornilov affair]], a coup d'état attempt by General [[Lavr Kornilov]] against the [[Russian Provisional Government]] in September 1917.

* [[Valery Sablin]], Soviet [[political commissar]] who mutinied aboard the [[Soviet frigate Storozhevoy]] in 1975, decrying the [[Era of Stagnation]].

* [[1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt]], an attempted coup by [[State Committee on the State of Emergency|Communist hardliners]] against [[President of the Soviet Union|President]] [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] in August.

* [[1993 Russian constitutional crisis]], a military and political conflict between [[President of Russia|President]] [[Boris Yeltsin]] and the [[Supreme Soviet of Russia]] in October.

* [[2023 Sudan conflict]], a similar rebellion by [[Rapid Support Forces|a formerly government-affiliated paramilitary force]] in [[Sudan]].

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