Troops loyal to Prigozhin mutinied on Friday evening, and are currently advancing on Moscow after reportedly capturing a number of military bases.
Troops loyal to Yevgeny Prigozhin—a former ally of Russia’s President, Vladmir Putin, who has turned deadly rival—have seized military sites around the Russian cities of Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh, and are reportedly advancing on Moscow in a heavily armed convoy.
Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner mercenary group which has been heavily involved in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has urged compatriots to join his «march for justice» after rebelling against the authority of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and armed forces chief Valery Gerasimov.
In an address on Saturday morning, Putin accused Wagner of a «stab in the back» on the Russian state, adding: «Those who have organized an armed rebellion will be held accountable.»
Ukrainian forces are just weeks into a counteroffensive, aimed at retaking their territory from Moscow, which has so far achieved limited success. By causing chaos behind Russian lines, the Wagner rebellion could help Kyiv achieve the breakthrough it needs.
After being freed, as the Soviet Union crumbled around him, Prigozhin began his business career selling hot dogs. He had a talent for business, and by 1995 owned part of a supermarket chain and had opened a number of luxury restaurants.
