Wagner Fighters Seen In Key Russian City After Call For 'Rebellion'
- By RFE/RL
Armed men, reportedly from the Wagner mercenary group, have been photographed in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don amid claims of a "mutiny" under way against Russia's Defense Ministry.

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Armed men alongside an armored vehicle in the center of Rostov-on-Don. The photo was made on the morning of June 24, near Russia's southern military district headquarters.

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A tank with distinctive red markings on a main road in Rostov-on-Don.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, announced early on June 24 that his forces had crossed into Russia from Ukrainian territory and entered Rostov-on-Don, around 100 kilometers from the border.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, announced early on June 24 that his forces had crossed into Russia from Ukrainian territory and entered Rostov-on-Don, around 100 kilometers from the border.

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Men reportedly with the Wagner group take up positions behind a civilian car.
Russia’s Federal Security Service announced a criminal case against Prigozhin for “incitement to armed rebellion” after he vowed to lead a “march of justice” against top officials in Russia’s Defense Ministry.
Russia’s Federal Security Service announced a criminal case against Prigozhin for “incitement to armed rebellion” after he vowed to lead a “march of justice” against top officials in Russia’s Defense Ministry.

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Armed men gather behind a vehicle. At bottom left of the image, a crowbar can be seen.

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A video grab purporting to show Prigozhin inside the headquarters of the Russian southern military district on June 24.
Prigozhin claimed on June 23 that a Wagner camp in Ukraine had been hit “from the rear” by a missile and accused the Russian military of carrying out the strike.
Prigozhin claimed on June 23 that a Wagner camp in Ukraine had been hit “from the rear” by a missile and accused the Russian military of carrying out the strike.

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A man reportedly belonging to Wagner gestures to a photographer on the morning of June 24.
Russia’s Defense Ministry called the "strike" claim a provocation, and some pro-Kremlin figures claimed the video showing the alleged aftermath was staged.
Russia’s Defense Ministry called the "strike" claim a provocation, and some pro-Kremlin figures claimed the video showing the alleged aftermath was staged.

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Armed men in the Rostov-on-Don city center.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on June 24 called for “anti-terrorist measures” to be rolled out in the Russian capital.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on June 24 called for “anti-terrorist measures” to be rolled out in the Russian capital.

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An image made before dawn on June 24 showing civilians in Rostov-on-Don gathered around an armored vehicle marked with the letter Z associated with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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A Wagner fighter seen in front of armored vehicles reportedly belonging to the Russian military in Rostov-on-Don.

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A woman speaks to an armed man in Rostov-on-Don after exiting a bus.