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June 24, 2023 - Wagner head says group standing down

By Helen Regan, Andrew Raine, Sophie Tanno, Hafsa Khalil, Tori B. Powell, Adrienne Vogt and Kaanita Iyer, CNN

Updated 0406 GMT (1206 HKT) June 25, 2023
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4:04 a.m. ET, June 24, 2023

Anti-terrorist regime introduced in Moscow and Voronezh regions

From CNN's Uliana Pavlova

The Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee announced the introduction of a counter-terrorist operation regime in Moscow, the Moscow region and Voronezh region.

"In order to prevent possible terrorist acts on the territory of the city of Moscow, the Moscow and Voronezh regions, a counter-terrorist operation regime has been introduced," the statement said. 

According to Russian state media, this is the first time that the counter-terrorist regime has been announced in these regions. 

The measures were announced as the head of the Wagner private military group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was accused of mounting an armed revolt against the Russian state. 

The counter-terrorist regime includes, but is not limited to:

  • document checks
  • strengthened protection of public order
  • monitoring telephone conversations
  • restricting communications
  • restricting the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the streets.
4:06 a.m. ET, June 24, 2023

Key lines from Putin's address

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that those on the “path of treason” or armed rebellion will be “punished” after the head of the Wagner paramilitary group said his troops had taken control of military facilities in two Russian cities, plunging the country into crisis.

Here are some of the key lines from Putin's address:

  • Putin vowed a harsh response and punishment of those involved in armed rebellion. "Any actions that fracture our unity" are "a stab in the back of our country and our people,” he said.
  • Putin said the armed forces "have been given the necessary orders" and "decisive action will also be taken to stabilize the situation in Rostov." 
  • He said, "additional anti terrorism, security measures have been imposed in Moscow, Moscow region and a number of other regions."
  • Putin appealed to Wagner forces "pushed into the provocation of a military rebellion," saying at this time, "we require unity, consolidation, and responsibility."
  • Putin described events in Rostov as an insurrection. He said the situation in Rostov "remains difficult during the armed uprising" and "the work of civil and military administration is basically blocked."
  • Putin said the country had been "betrayed by those who are trying to organize a mutiny, pushing the country toward anarchy and fratricide." He said "excessive ambition and vested interests have led to treason."
  • Putin said it was a "blow to Russia," adding, "Internal turmoil is a mortal threat to our statehood, to us as a nation."
3:54 a.m. ET, June 24, 2023

Putin says Wagner's "betrayal" is a "stab in the back of our country and our people"

From CNN's Josh Pennington 

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wagner's "betrayal" and "any actions that fracture our unity," are "a stab in the back of our country and our people."

"What we are facing is precisely betrayal. Excessive ambition and vested interests have led to treason. Betrayal of one's country, one's people, and the cause for which the soldiers and commanders of the Wagner group had fought and died, side by side with our other units," Putin said. 

Putin called Wagner actions "internal treachery," saying that "all kinds of political adventurers and foreign forces, who divided the country and tore it apart, profited from their own interests. We will not let this happen again. We will protect both our people and our statehood from any threats, including internal treachery."

3:29 a.m. ET, June 24, 2023

Putin says situation in Rostov remains difficult because of "armed uprising"

From CNN's Uliana Pavlova 

Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group are in Rostov, Russia, on June 24, 
Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group are in Rostov, Russia, on June 24,  Stringer/Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address Saturday, "the situation in Rostov-on-Don remains difficult during the armed uprising."

"In Rostov, the work of civil and military administration is basically blocked," Putin said. 

3:19 a.m. ET, June 24, 2023

Russian President Putin says those on a path of treason or preparing armed rebellion will be punished 

Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a televised address in Moscow, Russia, June 24.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a televised address in Moscow, Russia, June 24. Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin appealed to Wagner forces in an address Saturday.

"I appeal to those pushed into the provocation of a military rebellion," he said.

Putin added that at this time, "we require unity, consolidation, and responsibility."

"Those who carry deliberately on a path of treason, preparing an armed rebellion when you were preparing terrorist attacks, will be punished," Putin said. 

The Russian President said, "any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood for us as a nation; it is a blow to Russia for our people and our actions to protect our homeland. Such a threat will face a severe response."

3:06 a.m. ET, June 24, 2023

Wagner chief claims to have seized control of key military facilities in 2 Russian cities. Here's the latest

A fighter of Wagner private mercenary group stands guard in a street in Rostov, Russia, June 24, 
A fighter of Wagner private mercenary group stands guard in a street in Rostov, Russia, June 24,  Stringer/Reuters

The simmering conflict between Moscow’s military leadership and Yevgeny Prigozhin, the bombastic chief of private mercenary group Wagner, has dramatically escalated into an open insurrection that plunges Russia into renewed uncertainty.

Moscow's mayor said the capital is reinforcing security as Prigozhin claimed to have seized control of key military facilities in the Russian cities of Rostov and Voronezh Saturday.

Here's the latest:

  • Wagner claims control in Rostov: Prigozhin said in a video he is in Rostov-on-Don, in southern Russia close to the Ukraine border, and that his forces have control of military facilities and the airfield there. He pledged to blockade Rostov and move on to Moscow if Russia's Defense Minister and top general did not meet with him in the city, where Russia’s Southern Military District is headquartered. He said his men are not stopping the officers from carrying out their duties. It comes after Prigozhin said his fighters were entering the Rostov region on Friday and that Russian Guards and military police have joined the Wagner group. CNN cannot independently verify his claims. Videos circulating on social media and geolocated to Rostov city show military vehicles on the streets and helicopters over the city Saturday morning. It is currently unclear whose command the vehicles are under the control of.
  • Claims of control in Voronezh: The Wagner group later said it had taken control of Russian military facilities in the city of Voronezh, in southwestern Russia, saying "the army switches to the side of the people." Earlier, the governor of Voronezh oblast said that "a convoy of military equipment is moving along the M-4 Don Federal Highway." The M-4 is a highway connecting Voronezh and Rostov-on-Don. Voronezh is directly north of the Rostov region.
  • Alleged helicopter attack: Prigozhin also claimed a helicopter fired at a civilian column and was downed by his forces, but did not give any further details. He accused the Russian military's chief of staff of ordering an aerial attack "in the middle of civilian cars." Later, he said that his units were hit by a helicopter on a highway. CNN cannot independently verify these claims.
  • Prigozhin accuses Russia of killing his forces: The Wagner chief accused Russia's military leadership of killing a "huge amount" of his mercenary forces in a strike on a camp and vowed to retaliate. "Many dozens, tens of thousands of lives, of Russian soldiers will be punished," Prigozhin said. "I ask that nobody put up any resistance." In a later Telegram post, Prigozhin said that his criticism of the military leadership was a “march of justice” and not a coup. Russia’s Ministry of Defense denied Prigozhin’s claims, calling it an “informational provocation."
  • Russia accuses Prigozhin of "armed rebellion": The Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s domestic intelligence service, responded by urging Wagner fighters to detain their leader and on Friday it opened a criminal case against the Prigozhin, accusing the mercenary force's chief of calling for "armed rebellion," the state news agency TASS reported. Russia's Ministry of Defense appealed to Wagner forces to "safely return to their points of permanent deployment," saying they were "tricked into Prigozhin's criminal adventure."
  • Russia steps up security: Moscow's mayor said "anti-terrorist measures" are being carried out in the city. A local journalist said the streets appear calm in Moscow, but that there is heightened security at government agencies. In the Russian city of Rostov, military vehicles could be seen driving the streets. Posts were organized on Saturday in the area of ​​the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov where military personnel and law enforcement officers are keeping order, a TASS correspondent reported.

2:58 a.m. ET, June 24, 2023

Russian Ministry of Defense appeals to Wagner forces to return to "permanent deployment"

From CNN's Uliana Pavlova and Lizzy Yee

Russia's Ministry of Defense appealed to Wagner forces to "safely return to their points of permanent deployment" on Saturday, after the private mercenary group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed to have taken control of military facilities in two Russian cities.  

"You were tricked into Prigozhin's criminal adventure and participation in an armed rebellion," the Russian Ministry of Defense said on their official Telegram channel.

"Many of your comrades from several squads have already realized their mistake by asking for help in ensuring the ability to safely return to their points of permanent deployment," the statement said. 

"Such assistance from our side has already been provided to all the fighters and commanders who applied," it continued. 

The Ministry of Defense said it would "guarantee everyone's safety."

2:48 a.m. ET, June 24, 2023

Wagner claims it has taken control of military facilities in Voronezh

From CNN's Isaac Yee and Yulia Kesaieva

The Wagner paramilitary group claimed Saturday it had taken control of Russian military facilities in the Russian city of Voronezh.

"Military facilities in Voronezh are taken under the control of the Wagner PMC. The army switches to the side of the people," read a short statement from Wagner's Telegram channel. 

Earlier on Saturday, Wager chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said he was at the military headquarters in Rostov and that the local airfield was under his force's control.

2:46 a.m. ET, June 24, 2023

Russian security forces have cordoned off Wagner Center in St. Petersburg

From CNN's Josh Pennington and Lizzy Yee

Russian security forces have cordoned off the building of the Wagner Center in St. Petersburg, according to Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti.

Videos circulating on Telegram channels of the Wagner group show security personnel at the headquarters in St. Petersburg and a cordon around the building.