The head of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has issued a bold challenge to the Russian military leadership and the rule of President Vladimir Putin. In an audio message, Prigozhin declared that they would go to great lengths to topple the current regime. "We are going onwards, and we will go to the end," he proclaimed. This audacious statement marks a significant escalation in the conflict since the offensive in Ukraine last year.

Prigozhin further asserted that his forces had successfully shot down a Russian military helicopter, claiming that it was targeting a civilian column. "A helicopter has just now opened fire at a civilian column. It has been shot down by units of PMC Wagner," he stated. However, these claims could not be independently verified by AFP.

Earlier, Prigozhin had announced that his forces had entered the southern Russian region of Rostov. While he did not provide any proof of this claim, it has raised concerns about the extent of his group's activities. The situation remains fluid, and updates are being closely monitored.

In another development, the Polish President confirmed that they were monitoring the situation in Russia closely. Consultations were held with the prime minister, the Ministry of Defence, and allies to stay informed about the events unfolding beyond their eastern border.

The governor of Russia's Voronezh region has reported that the army has taken necessary military measures in response to the armed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group. Earlier reports indicated that the Wagner fighters had seized control of military facilities in the city of Voronezh, located about 500 km south of Moscow. However, the accuracy of these claims could not be independently confirmed.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov expressed his readiness to assist in suppressing the mutiny by the Wagner group if necessary. He condemned Prigozhin's actions as a betrayal and urged Russian soldiers not to succumb to any provocations.

Germany has also expressed its close attention to the events in Russia. The government spokesperson stated that they were closely monitoring the situation, highlighting the significance of the ongoing developments.

As the situation unfolds, the Wagner group continues to make aggressive moves. They have reportedly shot down three Russian helicopters, further intensifying the conflict. However, the authenticity of these reports could not be independently verified.

President Putin, in his first international phone call since the rebellion, spoke to his Belarusian counterpart, President Alexander Lukashenko. He informed him about the situation in Russia, emphasizing the gravity of the ongoing crisis.

Videos and photos circulating on social media suggest that Russian soldiers have surrendered en masse to the Wagner group in Voronezh. The group now controls both Rostov and Voronezh, with their forces advancing toward Krasnodar and Volgograd without facing any resistance.

In response to the escalating situation, the UK's foreign ministry has issued a warning about the risk of unrest across Russia. They advise against all travel to the country and highlight the limited flight options available for those seeking to return to the UK.

The UK's defense ministry recognizes the Russian state's current security challenge as the Wagner group's actions appear to move closer to Moscow. They emphasize the importance of the loyalty of Russia's security forces, particularly the Russian National Guard, in determining the outcome of this crisis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation in a televised speech, condemning the armed rebellion by the Wagner group as an act of treason. He pledged to protect Russia and take decisive action to stabilize the situation in Rostov-on-Don, where the Wagner forces claim to have seized control of all military installations.

To counter the threat posed by the Wagner group, Russian security forces have entered the Wagner group's headquarters in St. Petersburg. Additionally, the group's military convoy has reportedly started moving towards Moscow. The governor of the Lipetsk region has announced the closure of the M-4 motorway that connects Moscow with southern regions.

Security measures have been heightened in Moscow, Rostov, and Lipetsk as the Russian military takes action against the Wagner fighters. The situation remains highly dynamic, and further updates are expected as events continue to unfold.

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