Automated translation from Prigozhin's new statement
"Border guards were coming out to meet us and hugging our fighters after we crossed the state border... We will destroy anything that gets in our way"
https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1672381915431596034
"The current situation today was a rocket attack on us. After that the helicopters worked off. After that the artillery commands came from the Chief of General Staff to destroy the Wagner Cheka. After a meeting with Defense Minister Shoigu, where they made this decision to destroy the recalcitrant units, which are ready to defend their homeland, but their asses are not. At the moment we have crossed state borders in all places. Border guards were coming out to meet us and hugging our fighters. Now we are entering Rostov, a unit of the Ministry of Defense, or rather, the conscripts who were thrown to block our way, have stepped aside. We do not fight children, we do not kill children. Children are being killed. Shoigu throws untrained soldiers, including conscripts, into the war. He put 18-year-old boys against us, they are our children, they are all our grandchildren. So these guys will live and go back to their mothers. We only fight professionals. But if anyone gets in the way, we will destroy anything that gets in the way. We extend our hand to everyone. No need to spit in that hand. We move on. We go all the way. As for the statements about the arrests. This is brotherhood, this is justice, this is honor, this is conscience. That's what we have. And when you make statements, you don't have these feelings, you have destroyed these feelings. So you cannot understand anything but betrayal."
What an absolute insane rambling from Prigozjin, "We only fight professionals." and "throws untrained soldiers, including conscripts, into the war." This from the guy who used prisoners with 3 days of training, as meatwaves in Bakhmut.
Despite that, I hope he will cause a lot of trouble for Russia and Putin.
Remember 97% of the Russian army is fighting in Ukraine right now, according to U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.
just saw this article on Moscow Times ( neutral, now in Amsterdam based news)
"Following speculation that he had de facto announced an armed revolt against Russia’s military, Prigozhin later added: “It is not a coup d’etat. It’s a march of justice. Our actions do not impede [regular Russian] soldiers at all.”
Whatever he said or meant, it's going to be chaos imo.
getting reports of heavy aircraft leaving rostov, this means they do not intend to hold the airport and are evacuating everything. thats a wagner win without a fight
Putin must wish he'd never invaded Ukraine. He had it so good before that total miscalculation.
Thanks for posting these updates.
A fire, on a 🇷🇺 military base, broke out in the Moscow region.
https://twitter.com/officejjsmart/status/1672365690274082822?t=NrK5Zt3d_x9lefN6Z61Alw&s=19
There is panic in the Kremlin, no one can contact Putin, — rosZMI.
https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1672370738735599616?t=nvSJ47y_g8nxaoFuDvbxig&s=19
New statement by Prigo in reaction to Putin:
https://nitter.nl/wartranslated/status/1672536701997072384
❗️Prigozhin audio message 10:19AM BST - "no one will surrender to the demands of the President":
"Regarding the betrayal of the Motherland, the President is deeply mistaken. We’re patriots of our Motherland. We fought and we are fighting, all fighters of PMC Wagner. And no one is going to surrender to the demands of the President, FSB, or anyone else. Because we don’t want the country to live further in corruption lies, and bureaucracy.
When we fought in Africa, we were told that we needed Africa, and then they dumped it, because they stole all the money that was meant to come for help.
When we were told we are fighting with Ukraine, we went and fought. But it turned out that the ammo, weapons, all money put towards this were also being stolen, while officials are sitting and saving them for themselves for an incident that happened today, when someone is going towards Moscow."
Now they are not saving anything, they are striking us with planes and helicopters at the columns with civilians. And they hit civilians because they’re missing. And they hit anywhere they can.
Thus, we are the patriots, but those resisting us today are those who gathered around scumbags.
Audio: t.me/Prigozhin_hat/3812
First I'm seeing him directly call out Putin, albeit a fairly tame call-out.
BREAKING AGAIN 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 AND AGAIN NEW PRIGOZHIN AUDIO
"Wagner shot down a Russian helicopter, which opened fire on the column" - Prigozhin
https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1672405889523785728?t=BWL1yHcvAS91Hivhgsf3GQ&s=19
Belarussian opposition seems to be rallying to take advantage of the chaos in Russia, but it is unclear if and how this will manifest.
https://nitter.nl/officejjsmart/status/1672535110791340033?s=12&t=xSYLnqsRVgAIYtAQOgKFIA
Russian Army is now the second best army in 2 countries. Ukraine and Russia.
@Noxvento @lenux12343 Soon to be the 2nd best army in Moscow.
Russian army is guarding Russian gov buildings in Moscow
https://twitter.com/BNONews/status/1672360744615129088?t=4Vl5j1q4c7UpcoCJDkdDgg&s=19
The rats are leaving
Military and police checkpoints reportedly being established in Moscow city centre tonight
https://twitter.com/ELINTNews/status/1672360997565153285?t=vrGmUqCQw_lzfh8a6eyrHQ&s=19
Putin makes televised national address. Summary of speech:
TL;DR - Wagner is committing a betrayal, a stab in the back like 1917, and will face "inevitable punishment".
So any remaining conspiracy thoughts of this being orchestrated by Putin as an awkward "out" are clearly gone. Also, this will more clearly set up direct armed confrontation between Wagner and the Russian armed forces. It's probably not that hard to get some of the regulars riled up against Shoigu and the MoD, but now Wagner has to convince them to go against Putin.
Full Translation: https://nitter.fly.dev/wartranslated/status/1672508593969549312
Footage allegedly showing Wagner column led by (*T-80BV) tank and BMP entering Rostov-na-Donu, bypassing roadblock and RosGvardia troops.
From the same source: footage allegedly showing Wagner tanks surrounding the Defence Ministry building in Rostov-na-Donu
And unidentified infantry (claimed to be Wagner, but indeterminate) occupying the building
Security measures have been strengthened in Moscow and important facilities have been taken under enhanced protection - TASS
https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1672362169210380288?t=AjLVF8YX0n_EHB-38wbWQg&s=19
Oh my god it’s actually happening.
Prigozhin says half of the Russian army is ready to join him.
Wtf?!?! Are there any non Russian sources?
JUST IN: Mayor of Moscow says that "anti-terrorist measures" are being taken to reinforce security in the city - TASS
Biden briefed on "developments" in Russia, White House says
https://twitter.com/BNONews/status/1672385757741215744?t=igiEE-kWsqiG-xETR3iXZg&s=19
Woke up in the middle of the night to fail the three day poop challenge and see this news at 3:30am. I wonder what the ripple effects will be.
New challenge: don't poop until Wagner gets to the Kremlin.
MRE diet wasn't the play, I take it?
Channel One ( 🇷🇺 Government propaganda announces a "special news release,” while running this programming.
https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1672364988189507584?t=tsObtm0-BCRsyu5aOCUIrA&s=19
I'm just waiting for "Swan Lake" to start broadcasting.
Holy moley, wouldn't that be something?
Wagner affiliated channel: "All the generals who, with trembling hands, appeal to Wagner to stop, have actually signed their own sentence. There will be a tribunal. Surovikin will answer for the surrender of Kherson"
https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1672359305985630209?t=TApZxOAny2PRyqBt3jeBBg&s=19
BELARUS 🇧🇾 REBELLION
Belarussian soldiers, who are supporting Ukraine 🇺🇦, have called on Belarussian citizens to unite behind what is transpiring with Wagner, to liberate Belarus of Russia 🇷🇺.
https://twitter.com/officejjsmart/status/1672535110791340033?t=LMbSF53EahGEwmbqhNez4A&s=19
On the Rostov-Moscow road in the area of Kozachi Tabory, the first clash occurred between the advanced groups of the "Wagner" PMC, moving towards Moscow, and the units of the "Rosgvardiya".
https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1672368208165101568?t=W855aTSobKGA3ZDc9ur2yw&s=19
Moscow getting ready to welcome WAGNER
https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1672467879411822594?s=20
Footage of Prigozhin in Rostov, pictured with Deputy Minister of Defense, Colonel General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov (at left, from 0:13 on) — see the latter's official portrait photo for reference; looks like a match.
edit: and Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev, deputy chief of GRU military intelligence 1
Partial translation summary: Wagner issues orders to MoD commanders it has captured; will "blockade Rostov and go to [ed: towards?] Moscow until we get the Chief of the General Staff and Shoigu" 2, 3
- Machine translation here. Highlight: Lt. Gen. Alekseyev tells Prigozhin, "the biggest thing that upsets me is... I hear there's a party in Kyiv. With champagne"
Rostov-based telegram channel says that the administration building, headquarters of the southern military districts and a police department (among other things) are cordoned off by unknown armed people in the city
https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1672431054328676353?t=KBMFFmT0VkpxzsDF0G_UkA&s=19
Footage currently circulating right now reportedly showing Wagner vehicles moving south on the M4 towards Rostov. Traffic matches current google traffic data reports.
https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672401399613628416?t=nby8CTKPkHFINkvFe5fd-Q&s=19
At least 3 killed as Russian An-24 crashed (was shot down) near Kantemirovka of Voronezh region
Chechen soldiers dispatched against Wagner
https://nitter.nl/spectatorindex/status/1672529800890839041?s=12&t=xSYLnqsRVgAIYtAQOgKFIA
Sad. Would be nice if all of Putins Allies fall apart.
Wagner needs to survive 24 hours, this coup will in no doubt help Ukraine, the goal is to allow the infighting to continue
Telegram channel with apparent links to the Russian security forces reports that rarely-used security plan "Krepost" (Fortress), intended to repel an attack on security force installations in Moscow, has now been activated.
https://mastodon.social/@ChrisO_wiki/110595793811784562
Edit: the BBC is reporting the same for Rostov.
U.S. Officials have reportedly told CNN that they are “Closely Watching the Situation unfolding in Russia,” further stating that the Situation is very much Real.
Incoming reports of Wagner Group soldiers leaving their missions in Africa and Syria to join the military coup in Russia against Putin.
I don't want to jump the gun, this could easily be Russian misinformation and logic dictates that I should treat it as such until we've got a hard confirmation, but PLEASE let this be real. Wagner and Russia engaging in infighting now would be absolutely perfect. I want the counteroffensive to have every edge it can get, and this would be one hell of an edge.
First Deputy Chief of GRU Vladimir Alekseyev sat down on the same chair as Surovikin and addressed the commanders and fighters of the Wagner PMC.
You are not putting these people on camera if nothing is happening.
https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1672359292089913348?t=EmZwYu-W1PgheL3emA9WTw&s=19
No evidence as to whether this is actually occurring, or just an information space PsyOp, but Prigozhin claims that Gerasimov "gave an order for planes to bomb moving Wagner columns", killing civilians, and that some pilots refused to obey orders.
https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1672387845749702658?cxt=HHwWhIC8idL4wbUuAAAA
Videos of military vehicles on roads in Rostov Region have started to appear in Telegram channels.
Some of them clearly show government troops. Other vehicles are more difficult to identify - military trucks.
But it is not clear whether these are Wagner forces or a regular army.
It is also reported that part of the Rostov-Moscow highway is blocked.
In Rostov, according to Russian media reports, PMC Wagner is still neither seen nor heard.
https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1672399393226473472
More videos from the Southern Military District HQ. The Telegram channel says there are soldiers in the building and there are up to 300 Wagner fighters in Rostov. Some of the vehicles are military police.
https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1672444417083416578
(Maybe the most impressive videos I've seen from today so far)
Another heli shut down Russian MOD
https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1672428675420110848?t=5vs40vswAriOmKQIufJkVA&s=19
Potentially corroborating this: photo purporting to show the smoke from a helicopter crash. Location indeterminate [edit: other sources say it's near Rostov]
https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672432135439888385/photo/1
Governor of the Rostov region says that "the current situation requires the maximum concentration of all forces to maintain order, adding that residents should not leave home unnecessarily - Mash
https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1672407064797118464?t=bh0mKIphlCc88uUQQhmXEg&s=19
Ukraine has started on Bakhmut front, taking advantage of the chaos
https://twitter.com/officejjsmart/status/1672374652818141185?t=MO8VfonRN69YWCg1owhBFA&s=19
Prigozhin coup attempt endorsed by exiled billionaire opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky: "And yes, this is just the beginning.."
A Rostov-based telegram channel has shared this footage claiming that it was shot in the vicinity of Rostov-on-Don this morning
I'm thirsty for Ukraine military gains. I imagine causing more pressure and chaos would work in their favor
Wagner on the move
What's the goal? To take over the armed forces and be Putin's 2nd? Or to replace Putin?
Prigozin said to hang Gerasimov and Shoigu
Russian MOD has been begging Prigozin to listen to commander in chief "Putin"
If i were a russian soldier i would be looking to get the fuck out of Ukraine right now. I can smell a mass desertion coming!
Wagner PMC leader Prigozhin claims in a new post that "Chief of the General Staff Gerasimov gave the command to open fire from aircraft on Wagner columns mixed with civilian vehicles. The pilots refused to follow the order"
https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1672387245045587968?t=keIowpbxaPvZn_rAilM7Kg&s=19
FSB Border Guards were ordered to allow the Wagner PMC columns through from Ukraine at the border check point in Rostov region, Russia. Prigozhin appears to have planned the coup meticulously and secured many allies at high places within the Kremlin regime.
https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1672388612498014208?t=tIFsIpQ_kdIA3QAVogBohg&s=19
Military checkpoints in Moscow
https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1672385817858260996?t=bnNXGcH7bOYAfjc58snx9w&s=19
This is absolutely insane! Couldnt happen to a more deserving country
Footage allegedly showing Wagner tanks surrounding the Defence Ministry building in Rostov-na-Donu
And unidentified infantry (claimed to be Wagner, but indeterminate) occupying the building
Three hour analysis livestream from Vlad Vexler, started when the situation began to escalate. Not a live news thing, but an analysis from his perspective as it manifested.
Girkin now seemingly pointing out that Prigozhin has de-facto won:
https://nitter.nl/pic/orig/media%2FFzaIoo2aQAAbQsC.jpg
I have to admit with great bitterness that the Russian Federation is one step closer to its final and irrevocable demise.
As of today, the Russian Federation has two presidents - the real president, Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin, and Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the acting president to serve his term. The main purpose of the acting president is to periodically address the real president, kneeling down, with the question: "What do you want, Yevgeny Viktorovich?"
Never, even in my worst nightmare, I couldn't imagine that I would see this shame and destruction of my country.
FSB offices are being evacuated in Voronezh and Lipetsk regions. They are on Prigozhin's path to Moscow from Rostov.
https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1672435559011328000?t=gHviVk_oxk6hIHYC1Kt7xg&s=19
Any info on the fighting in Volgograd?
General "Armageddon" Surovikin published a video calling Wagner to "obey the Supreme Commander".
https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1672357331663765504?t=n6XB2GsoIknQEhriQERpxw&s=19
Oil depot on fire in Voronezh
If twitter is to be believed, this was posted to Pringle's Telegram channel (machine-translated):
https://i.imgur.com/wq8cnuF.jpg
So the press release by Lukashenko might be smoke and mirrors or a genuine misunderstanding
EDIT: Might well be bullshit, BBC currently reporting Prigozhin has confirmed a deal has taken place
EDIT2: Now also more clearly confirmed with quote by Prigozhin - https://nitter.nl/maxseddon/status/1672657882117013504
Right now the moment has come when blood could be spilled. Therefore, understanding all the responsibility for the fact that Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our convoy around and going back to our basecamps, according to the plan.
Does someone have a link to Prigozhin's actual outlets? All of this is pretty indirect and suspect as a result. (In the age of deepfakes, a recording means little with no provenance)
Edit: BBC is now repeating this.
His official press service on Telegram ("Press service of Prigozhin"): https://t.me/s/concordgroup_official
Maybe some kind of fake operation to get Ukraine to launch it's main counteroffensive early? I just can't believe any type of coup would hold water
It seems too complex operation for russia to be able to organize such thing
No pictures of this Wagner column has been released
Video purporting to show gunfire near Voronezh [NB: on the road north from Rostov to Moscow]
Reports of Russian military units switching sides and joining Prigozhin’s military coup.
Military columns made up of these forces are driving from the city of Azov to Rostov, which was taken by the Wagner group a few hours ago.
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1672455738923286529?t=DHwj2nK8g7cTNdYNtP9khQ&s=19
Prigozhin is in Rostov with General Sergey Kuzovlev, commander of the Southern Military District.
https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672463360024010753?t=01GIPj2-syD9ww8GR7-QSg&s=19
The link doesn't seem to work, error message: "Hmm...this page doesn’t exist. Try searching for something else."
White House national security council says that they "are monitoring the situation in Russia and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments" - Reuters
