Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to crush the Wagner fighters' rebellion after they, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, seized the city of Rostov in an attempt to overthrow the military leadership. Below is a timeline of events that unfolded over the past twenty-four hours.
**Yesterday, Friday**
Prigozhin posted a video escalating his dispute with senior military officers in Russia, for the first time rejecting Moscow's core justifications for the invasion of Ukraine.
- In a series of subsequent audio recordings on Telegram, Prigozhin stated that the "evil" of the Russian military leadership "must stop" and that Wagner mercenaries would lead a "march for justice" against the Russian army.
- The Russian Federal Security Service launched a criminal case against Prigozhin, claiming he called for an armed rebellion.
- Deputy Commander of the Russian campaign in Ukraine, General Sergey Surovikin, urged the Wagner group to cease their opposition to the military leadership and return to their bases.
**Today, Saturday**
- Prigozhin announced that his men had crossed the border from Ukraine into Russia and were prepared to go "as far as necessary" in opposing the Russian army. He stated that Wagner fighters had entered the city of Rostov in a voice recording published on Telegram.
- The White House said it was monitoring the situation between Russia and the Wagner group and would consult with allies and partners on developments.
- Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov officially informed Putin of the criminal case against Prigozhin for armed rebellion.
- The governor of the Rostov region, adjacent to Ukraine in southern Russia, advised residents to remain calm and stay indoors as it became clear that Wagner forces had taken control of Rostov.
- The Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement urging Wagner fighters to abandon their leader, claiming that they had been "deceived and dragged into a criminal adventure."
- A Russian security source told Reuters that Wagner fighters had taken control of all military facilities in Voronezh, located about 500 kilometers south of Moscow.
- Putin delivered a televised speech promising to crush what he called an armed rebellion, accusing Prigozhin of "treason" and delivering a "stab in the back" to Russia.
- Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, an ally of Putin, stated that his forces were ready to assist in quelling Prigozhin's rebellion and would use harsh methods if necessary.
- European governments, including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, issued statements saying they were closely monitoring developments in Russia.
- Russian military helicopters opened fire on a convoy of rebellious mercenaries after they covered more than half the distance to Moscow in a rapid advance following their seizure of Rostov overnight.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that "Russia's weakness is evident" and that the longer Moscow kept its troops and mercenaries in Ukraine, the greater the chaos it would face.
- Russian news agency TASS quoted Sergey Naryshkin, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, as saying that Prigozhin's attempt to destabilize society and ignite civil war had failed clearly.
- The newspaper Vedomosti published photos of Russian soldiers setting up a machine gun position on the southwestern edge of Moscow. The photographs also showed an armed police gathering at the approach point of the M4 highway, through which Wagner's mercenary group was advancing toward the Russian capital.
- The Turkish presidency announced that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and urged him to act rationally.
- Belarus issued a statement reaffirming its alliance with Russia.
- The White House indicated that President Joe Biden spoke with leaders of France, Germany, and the UK, reaffirming their strong support for Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke with his counterparts in the G7 and the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
- Russian media reported that Putin signed a law allowing for imprisonment of up to 30 days for those who violate martial law in areas where it has been imposed.
- TASS cited legislator Pavel Krashennikov stating that Wagner mercenaries were promised amnesty if they laid down their arms, "but they must act quickly."
- The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement warning Western countries against exploiting the Wagner group's rebellion "to achieve their objectives related to Russophobia."
- The office of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that he mediated an agreement with Prigozhin, who agreed to deescalate the situation.
- Prigozhin said he ordered his fighters, who were advancing toward Moscow in a convoy, to retreat and return to their bases to avoid bloodshed.
