Moscow gives citizens Monday off and urges them not to travel around the city
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has declared Monday, 26 June a non-working day and urged residents to refrain from travelling around the city. The decision was taken amid news that Wagner Group militants are approaching the Russian capital.
Source: Sobyanin on Telegram
Quote from Sobyanin: "In order to minimise risks, I have decided to declare Monday a non-working day within the operational headquarters – with the exception of authorities, continuous production factories, the defence industry, and municipal services."
Details: Sobyanin stressed that the situation remains difficult and urged people to refrain from travelling around the city. He also said that traffic may be blocked in certain neighbourhoods and on certain roads.
Background:
- On the evening of 23 June, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that the regular Russian army had launched a missile strike on the Wagner mercenaries’ rear camps. He has therefore deployed 25,000 of his mercenaries "to restore justice".
- Prigozhin claimed that his forces had taken control of military facilities in Rostov-on-Don, including the air base, and were heading "to Moscow" and that his soldiers had shot down three Russian helicopters. Wagner mercenaries have also seized military facilities in the Russian city of Voronezh.
- In an emergency address on 24 June, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is "fighting for survival" and that attempts are being made to "organise a rebellion" in the country.
- UK Defence Intelligence reported that Wagner Group fighters are aiming to reach Moscow.
- The Office of the President of the Russian Federation anticipates that Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner Group fighters are likely to reach Moscow’s outskirts in the next few hours, with fighting expected near Russia’s capital. Ukrainian intelligence has information that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has urgently left Moscow for his residence in Valdai.
Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
