Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has stormed into the Russian military HQ in Rostov-on-Don and have taking control of the airfield and key sites.
The Russian military HQ is key as it directs most of the operations which are taking place in Ukraine.
In the city of Voronezh which is around 300 miles south of Moscow the mercenary group have taken control of military defence facilities, the Kremlin has said on Saturday morning.
In the city of Voronezh, the governor Alexander Gusev said, the Russian army are undertaking “combat measures” as “part of the counter terrorist operation.”
The Wagner chief has warned that he and his mercenaries will “destroy anyone who stands in out way,” and said that this “is not an armed rebellion, but a march of justice.”
Prigozhin claims he and his troops were “saving Russia” and has made demands that the Russian authorities give up Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
Prigozhin said, “We want to get the chief of the General Staff and Shoigu.
“Until they are here, we are here, we are blocking the city of Rostov and go toward Moscow.”
Earlier this morning Prigozhin said, “Those who destroyed our lads, who destroyed the lives of many tens of thousands of Russian soldiers, will be punished. I ask that no one offer resistance…
“There are 25,000 of us and we are going to figure out why chaos is happening in the country,” he added that they will destroy any checkpoints or air forces that gets in their way.
Vladimir Putin said in an address to the nation, “It’s the equivalent to armed mutiny.
“Russia will defend itself and repel this move.
“We are fighting the life and security of our citizens.
“It’s an attempt to subvert us from inside.
“This is a stab in the back to our troops and the people of Russia.”
He added, “The entire military, economic and information machine of the West is waged against us.
“This battle, when the fate of our people is being decided, requires the unification of all forces, unity, consolidation and responsibility.
“Those who plotted and organised an armed rebellion, who raised arms against his comrades-in-arms, betrayed Russia. And they will answer for it.”
Russian security forces the FSB are urging Wagner mercenaries to not undertake “criminal and traitorous orders” and they must detain Prigozhin.
