Update June 25, 2023 – 5:50 p.m
- The Wagner mercenaries continue their withdrawal, although they have left Lipetsk and the withdrawal is still ongoing in the Voronezh region. Traffic on the M4 route is flowing normally again.
- The whereabouts of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner troupe, is unknown. There is no current information about his whereabouts.
- The Wagner uprising raises questions about the power of Kremlin leader Putin. US Secretary of State Blinken emphasizes that this is an internal matter for Russia, but it shows cracks in Putin's authority and the basis for aggression against Ukraine.
- Latin American allies of the Russian government, such as Cuba and Venezuela, express solidarity with Putin and the Russian people.
- FDP defense expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann sees the uprising as signs of a weakening of Putin.
- The German Bundestag committees for foreign affairs and defense were informed by the government about the power struggle. A special joint meeting of the committees may take place next week after the government consolidates its findings.
Update June 25, 2023 – 2:50 p.m
- The Wagner mercenaries continue their withdrawal. In Lipetsk they left the administrative region, while the withdrawal in the Voronezh region is still ongoing. In Rostov-on-Don, Wagner has evacuated the city and is heading for his military camp. No more road traffic restrictions were reported.
- Several Russian Air Force pilots were reportedly killed in the uprising. However, the exact number of fatalities and planes and helicopters shot down is unclear.
- The Wagner troop uprising raises questions about the weaknesses of the Russian security system. Experts warn of possible impacts on the morale of Russian soldiers at the front. The agreement for Prigozhin to retreat to Belarus is seen as a temporary solution.
- Former British general Richard Dannatt warns of a possible attack on Ukraine by Wagner mercenaries from Belarus if many of them follow Prigozhin into exile.
- Despite the uprising, Putin continues to be seen as a strong leader with immense resources and elite support. However, it emphasizes that the long-term stability of the Putin regime is questionable and that weaknesses in the security system have been exposed.
- Ukraine is urged to watch its flank and prepare for possible attacks from Belarus if Prigozhin builds an effective force there.
Update June 25, 2023 – 8:20 a.m
- Wagner boss Prigozhin has stopped his mercenaries' march on Moscow and will go to Belarus. The Kremlin says Prigozhin and his fighters will not be prosecuted. The decision is believed to be related to the upcoming challenges and possible blockages on the way to Moscow.
- US secret services apparently had information about Prigozhin's planned uprising for some time. Kremlin chief Putin is also said to have known about it.
- Russian forces have not withdrawn from the front line and continue their resistance, according to the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
- US intelligence agencies have information that the Wagner uprising was planned well in advance and that Prigozhin has been massing his fighters near the border with Russia for some time.
- Despite the de-escalation, Monday remains a day off in Moscow.
- Wagner fighters in Rostov-on-Don have reportedly begun a phased withdrawal, while heavy vehicles and combat vehicles remain in position for the time being.
- Russian road closures were lifted after the advancing Wagner Group military convoy calmed the situation.
- The Kremlin emphasizes that the uprising has no impact on the progress of the war against Ukraine and that no changes in the Defense Ministry are part of the agreement.
- Poland sees no direct danger to itself and is not ordering increased military readiness, but warns of tensions on the border with Belarus.
- Prigozhin and the Kremlin have reached an agreement to avoid further losses. Prigozhin's lawsuit is dropped and no charges are brought against his mercenaries.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky is calling on Russians to overthrow Kremlin leader Putin, warning of devastation by Russian troops and demanding support from the West, including the supply of F-16 fighter jets and longer-range missiles. He is urging NATO to accept Ukraine.
Update June 24, 2023 – 8:22 p.m
- Military expert Markus Keupp speculates that Yevgeny Prigozhin's announcement to stop the advance is related to the further movements of his units. There may be major closures on the Oka River, which is still about 50 kilometers away. Prigozhin must keep moving to avoid Luftwaffe attacks. Another possibility is that Prigozhin was bribed or received an offer, such as a government position or preferential allocation of materials.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj sees the situation in Russia as a sign of chaos in the country. He emphasizes that the longer Russian troops remain in Ukraine, the greater the devastation they will bring to Russia.
Update June 24, 2023 – 7:35 p.m
- Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has agreed to stop his fighters' advance in Russia, according to the Belarusian presidential office. A de-escalation of the situation and an agreement on the security of the Wagner fighters were reached with the consent of President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an audio message that evening, Russian military contractor Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered his Wagner troops to return to their bases to avoid a possible bloodbath. The insurgents had previously come within a few hundred kilometers of Moscow. Prigozhin stated in the voice message published by his press service on Telegram that the columns will turn around and return to the field camps in the opposite direction.
- The government in Ukraine has announced new offensives in the east of the country to push back the Russian army. The Ukrainian army is conducting operations near Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bakhmut and Klishchivka in the Donbass region. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maljar emphasized that there was progress in all directions.
Update June 24, 2023 – 7:02 p.m
- According to a source close to the separatist leadership in Donetsk, the Wagner convoy approaching Moscow reportedly consists of about 5,000 fighters. There are also said to be over 5,000 Wagner mercenaries in Rostov-on-Don. In total, the group reportedly has fewer than 25,000 fighters.
- Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chairwoman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, sees the uprising of the Wagner mercenaries not as a spontaneous action, but as a long-planned step by Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. She emphasizes the possible support from parts of the Russian army.
- US President Joe Biden discussed the situation in Russia with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. They have reiterated their support for Ukraine.
- Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council, claims that the Wagner mercenaries are planning a state coup. He does not rule out the involvement of former members of Russian elite units or foreign specialists.
- France advises against traveling to Russia due to the uncertain military and security situation.
- Experts predict higher oil and raw material prices as well as pressure on the stock market due to the crisis in Russia. The first effects could already become apparent on Sunday evening.
- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has declared next Monday a day off in order to minimize risks. The population is asked to stay at home if possible and not to move around the city unnecessarily. Road closures are possible.
Update June 24, 2023 – 5:35 p.m
- Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed concerns about the safety of Russia's nuclear weapons. He warned that a takeover of these weapons by “bandits” would spell disaster for the world.
- Severin Pleyer, an expert at the Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg, sees an internal power struggle in Russia that goes beyond the Wagner group. It is a fight within the military leadership around President Vladimir Putin.
- The government in Moscow is warning Western states not to use the Wagner Group's uprising for their "anti-Russian goals." The Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement to this effect.
- Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrij Melnyk sees the uprising as an opportunity for his country and is calling on Germany in particular to increase military support. He emphasizes the need for cruise missiles and attack helicopters to push back Russian troops.
- A Russian lawmaker, Pavel Krasheninnikov, claims the Wagner fighters have been offered an amnesty if they quickly lay down their arms. It is emphasized that the militants should hurry up to avoid prosecution as they were successful during military operations in Ukraine.
Update June 24, 2023 – 4:50 p.m
- In response to the Wagner mercenary uprising in Russia, Latvia has strengthened its border security. President-elect Edgars Rinkevics, who is also currently Foreign Minister, announced that the issuance of “humanitarian or other types of visas” and the entry of Russians from Russia into Latvia has been suspended due to the current situation.
- According to the governor of the Lipetsk region, Igor Artamonov, the Wagner mercenary group also arrived there. The Lipetsk region is about 360 kilometers south of Moscow, closer to the Russian capital than Rostov-on-Don, where the Wagner troops had previously appeared. The governor assured that the safety of the population is guaranteed and the situation is under control.
- In Ukraine, despite ongoing fighting, there is “cautious” optimism about the Wagner uprising in Russia. According to ARD correspondent Vassili Golod, there is hope that the domestic political unrest in Russia could offer strategic advantages to Ukraine. Despite these hopes, however, people in Ukraine emphasize that they must continue to wait and see the situation.
Update June 24, 2023 – 4 p.m
- The Kremlin has rejected reports that President Vladimir Putin has left Moscow due to the current situation. According to official information, both Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin are at their workplaces in Moscow.
- Despite the uprising in Russia, allied states have pledged their support to the Kremlin. Belarus reaffirmed its role as an ally of Russia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iran also expressed their support for Russia.
- Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Russia's Wagner mercenary force, claims that his group captured the army headquarters in Rostov "without a single shot." However, this information could not be independently verified. In Voronezh, however, fighting was reported.
- German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that the consequences of the uprising in Russia for the war in Ukraine are currently difficult to predict. He pointed out that Germany has no options for action in this situation because it is a domestic political conflict in Russia.
- The foreign ministers of the G7 countries, including Germany, are discussing the current situation in Russia. The federal government's crisis team meets under the leadership of State Secretary Andreas Michaelis.
This is current information from June 24, 2023 / 1:25 p.m.: Moscow is on the brink of an unprecedented crisis. An explosive situation has arisen around the Russian military leadership after the head of the private Russian mercenary force Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, accused the Russian Defense Ministry of attacking his troop camp. Prigozhin then threatened to purge the military leadership.
Military activity can be observed in Moscow, where Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has issued a terror alert due to the tense situation. Unconfirmed reports suggest possible military operations, including the shooting down of three military helicopters in southern Russia. Overall, the scale of the operations and the rapid movement of the Wagner Group suggest that this was a carefully planned and serious coup attempt, rather than a spontaneous action by a small mercenary group. The situation remains dynamic and tense, with explosions in Rostov and an attack on a Wagner convoy in Voronezh Oblast reported as this summary was being prepared.
First of all, to understand the people involved:
Yevgeny Prigozhin: head of the private Russian mercenary group Wagner. He has accused the Russian Defense Ministry of attacking his camp with a rocket, which cannot yet be confirmed, and is now threatening to clean up the military leadership. At dawn he took control of several military facilities in Russia.
Wagner Group: a private Russian mercenary force led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. The group has become embroiled in controversy after claiming their camp was attacked by Russian Defense Ministry troops.
Vladimir Putin: President of Russia. He has called Prigozhin's actions a "stab in the back" and a betrayal and vowed to punish those who took part in the "mutiny."
Sergei Sobyanin: Mayor of Moscow. He has implemented “anti-terrorism measures” called “fortress” in the city to ensure the safety of the population.
National Anti-Terrorism Committee: In view of the rebellion, this organization declared a state of anti-terrorism emergency in Moscow and the surrounding area and initiated counter-terrorism measures.
His declaration of war carries weight
With around 25,000 to 50,000 armed and battle-hardened mercenaries under his command, he leaves the Russian government little choice. Control of important military facilities and the building of the Southern Military District (SMD) of the Russian Federation in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don is now in his hands. Videos showing high-ranking military officials are going viral on Russian social media, increasing tension among the population.
The Wagner fighters have positioned themselves in Rostov and set up barricades
Parts of the Russian National Guard (Rosgvardia) and the regular Russian army have joined Prigozhin and are patrolling the city together with the Wagner troops. But they also say they have brought all military facilities under their control in Voronezh - just 430 kilometers south of Moscow. The tense situation has prompted Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin to put “anti-terror measures” called “Fortress” into effect. Security forces from the National Guard and the FSB are now patrolling critical points in the metropolis.
The escalation has also reached the highest level of Russian politics
In a televised state of the nation address, President Vladimir Putin described Prigozhin's actions as a "stab in the back."
He spoke of betrayal and a “stab in the back,” which illustrates the seriousness of the situation. Putin warned of the consequences for those who took part in the "mutiny" and promised that anyone who took up arms against the army would be considered a traitor. In the midst of this confrontation, Prigozhin denied Putin's allegations. He said the president was wrong and defended his actions as a patriotic act. "We are patriots of our homeland," Prigozhin said, adding that Russia no longer had to live with corruption, lies and bureaucracy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has branded the insurgent Wagner mercenaries as “traitors” who would be punished. The Kremlin leader said the uprising of mercenary troops was a “deadly threat” to Russia. He called for “unity” and stressed that he would not allow a civil war in Russia.
Tensions between parts of the Russian army loyal to Putin and the Defense Ministry and the Wagner mercenary force continue to escalate. The Russian domestic secret service FSB searched the high-rise and headquarters of the Wagner Group in St. Petersburg for Prigozhin on Friday evening in vain. In view of the rebellion, an anti-terror state of emergency was declared in Moscow and the surrounding area. “In order to prevent possible terrorist attacks in the city and Moscow region, a regime of anti-terror operations has been introduced,” the National Anti-Terror Committee said. Security measures have been strengthened.
The Russian population is worried
The confrontation between Prigozhin and the Russian military leadership is causing growing unrest among Russians. Some people also celebrated wildly in the streets last night. As the situation escalates, the question remains as to how this conflict will develop and what impact it will have on the country and its population. One thing is certain: the conflict is far from resolved.
Current fact check
| fact | examination | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Yevgeny Prigozhin is the head of the private Russian mercenary group Wagner | Verified by various sources and reports | Confirmed |
| The Wagner Group camp was attacked by the Russian Ministry of Defense | Yevgeny Prigozhin's claim, unconfirmed by independent sources | Not clear |
| Prigozhin controls military facilities in Rostov and Voronezh | Reports in Russian media and social networks | Probably |
| Vladimir Putin described Prigozhin's actions as a “stab in the back” and a betrayal | Quoted in several media reports | Confirmed |
| The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, has put “anti-terror measures” into effect | Official statement from Sobyanin | Confirmed |
| An anti-terror state of emergency was declared in Moscow and the surrounding area | Endorsed by the National Anti-Terrorism Committee | Confirmed |
| Prigozhin has rejected Putin's accusation of treason and claimed Putin is wrong | Quoted in media reports and on Prigozhin's Telegram channel | Confirmed |
We will continually add to these articles...
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

