Joe Biden has been briefed on the chaotic situation in Russia with US officials describing it as “serious”.
The president was being kept informed as Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was accused by Moscow of launching an armed rebellion.
A White House National Security Council spokesman said: “We are monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments.”
We’re coming to get you! Wagner forces head to Moscow
Russia’s Wagner militia forces are headed towards Moscow on Saturday after chief Yevgney Prigozhin initiated a military coup against Putin and his regime, which has seen the group take key cities and mock the President, who called them ‘traitors’.
Putin addressed the Russian people on Saturday, warning that the military leader had ‘stabbed him in the back’, as Moscow is on lockdown as troops dig in in preparation to defend the city.
Key points of Putin’s address to nation over PMC Wagner coup attempt
Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered an address to the nation amid a coup attempt by the private military company Wagner. He described the mutineers’ actions as “backstabbing” and called for unity.
Late on Friday, PMC Wagner’s boss Evgeny Prigozhin accused the Russian military of striking his group’s base – something the Defense Ministry has strongly denied.
Putin appears in a video address after Wagner mercenaries began a military coup and successfully seized the southern city of Rostov.
“Wagner group rebellion is a criminal campaign, Russia will defend itself.”
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 24, 2023
Russian military helicopters launch missiles at ground targets in Voronezh. Most likely on the positions of the Wagner forces. pic.twitter.com/UNDqy4XLnE
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) June 24, 2023
BREAKING:
The Russian Army has started building machine gun positions on the south-western entrances on the ring-road to Moscow.
It’s the expected attack direction of the Wagner Group.
Is the Battle of Moscow about to happen? pic.twitter.com/VmRrt9vxBW
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 24, 2023
