The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group has vowed to “go all the way” to topple Russia’s military leadership, hours after the Kremlin accused him of an “armed coup”.
Yevgeny Prigozhin said his Wagner fighters crossed the border into Russia from Ukraine and entered the city of Rostov-on-Don.
Mr Prigosan said his men would destroy anyone who stood in their way.
The local governor urged the citizens there to remain calm and stay indoors.
Mr Prigozhin claimed his forces shot down a Russian military helicopter that “fired on a civilian convoy”. He did not specify a location and the claim could not be immediately confirmed.
The Wagner Group is a private army of mercenaries fighting alongside the regular Russian army in Ukraine.
Tensions between them have grown over how the war was fought, with Mr Prigozhin sharply critical of Russia’s military leadership in recent months.
On Friday, the 62-year-old mercenary leader accused the army of launching a deadly missile attack on his troops and vowed to punish them. He did not provide evidence.
The authorities have denied the strike and demanded that they stop their “illegal actions”.
Mr Prigozhin said Russia’s military leadership must stop the “evil” and commit to a “march for justice”.
“Those who killed our boys, and lost the lives of tens of thousands of Russian soldiers [in the Ukraine war], will be punished,” he said in an audio message posted on the social media platform Telegram. “
“I ask you not to resist. Anyone who does so will be considered a threat and destroyed. The same goes for any outposts and aviation in our path.
“The presidential power, the government, the police and the Russian guard will operate as usual.
“This is not a military coup, but a march for justice. Our actions do not in any way interfere with the soldiers.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin is receiving round-the-clock updates on the situation, his spokesman said.
JEE News reported that security was increased at key locations in Moscow on Friday night, including government buildings and transport facilities.
The governor of Russia’s Lipetsk region is also asking residents not to travel south.
Lipetsk is about 280 km (175 mi) northeast of the nearest Ukrainian border and more than 500 km north of Rostov.
Writing on Telegram, Igor Artamonov said security measures are being tightened in the region, with a particular focus on protecting critical infrastructure facilities.
In a tweet late Friday, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said simply: “We’re watching.”
The White House said it was monitoring the situation and would consult with US allies.
General Sergei Sarvokin, the deputy head of Russian forces in Ukraine, whose leadership Mr Prigozhin has praised in the past, called on him to “stop the convoys and send them back to their bases”.
“We are of one blood, we are warriors,” he said in a video. “You should not play into the hands of the enemy at a time that is difficult for our country.”
Another senior commander, Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseev, called the actions of Wagner’s chief a “stab in the back of the country and the president.”
