Sergei Sobyanin, Mayor of Moscow urged citizens to stay indoors as Wagner mercenaries are inching near Russia's capital city. According to reports, all mass events have been suspended for a week, till July 1, in the Moscow region.
Moscow's mayor warned on Saturday that traffic could be restricted in parts of Russia's capital as part of heightened security prompted by the rebellion of Wagner mercenaries.
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin asked the city's residents to refrain from using their cars amid the counter-terrorism operation in Moscow and the surrounding region that authorities introduced earlier Saturday. He also declared Monday a non-working day for most people, with the exception of public servants and employees of some industrial enterprises.
Sobyanin noted that all key city services were put on high readiness and advised residents to report any emergencies.
According to reports, Wagner mercenaries may reach Moscow by evening (local time). “The convoy of lorries, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles is hoping to take advantage of the element of surprise and reach Moscow before it is intercepted by a larger detachment of Russian regular troops,” The Guardian reported. A video from the convoy showed them breaking through barricades in Lipetsk, a region bordering Moscow from the south.
Reuters reported that Wagner convoy approaching Moscow contains about 5,000 men. Wagner chief Dmitry Prigozhin had fewer than 25,000 men at his disposal in total, and around 5,000 of them were in Rostov-on-Don, the southern city key to Russia's war in Ukraine that Wagner Chief Prigozhin said he had taken control of. Wagner's plan for Moscow was to take up positions in a densely built-up area,” Reuters reported quoting a source in the know of developments.
Russia's private mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said they are patriots and they have been fighting for the motherland. Wagner's chief claimed control of military sites in the Russian city of Rostov.
Security has been tightened in Russia's capital Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin termed Wagner's actions as “treason” and said backstabbers will be punished. “Those who plotted and organised an armed rebellion, who raised arms against his comrades-in-arms, betrayed Russia. And they will answer for it,” Putin said.