The mayor of Moscow has issued a "high alert", warning residents to "stay at home" as Wagner mercenaries approach the city. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin put out an announcement on Telegram saying a "counter-terrorist operation regime has been declared in Moscow" and stated Monday will likely be a "non-working day" in a bid to maintain locals from travelling across the metropolis. The solely exception to this order are these working in core companies, safety, and the navy.

The metropolis is presently bracing for a doable assault by the Wagner Group who earlier in the present day claimed management of Rostov-on-Don in Southern Russia.

Various roads within the Lipetsk area, south of Moscow, have been excavated to cease the PMC's (personal navy contractor) advance. Despite the efforts, the governor of the Lipetsk area confirmed that Wagner had crossed into the realm.

Unconfirmed experiences additionally declare flights out of town have "sold out" as 1000's of individuals try and flee as the specter of assault turns into stark and imminent.

Russian National Guard items have been pictured mendacity subsequent to the Kashira freeway resulting in Moscow. Moscow mayor Sobyanin stated: "The situation is difficult".

He added that "city services are on high alert". His announcement of a "counter-terrorist operation" in Moscow means there will likely be restricted motion of individuals and transport.

It additionally will improve how a lot communications within the metropolis are monitored and restricted and it offers the authorities the best to look individuals and autos or evacuate the general public if crucial, the BBC reported.

All out of doors actions have additionally been suspended till no less than July 1. The Russian Foreign Ministry has warned the West towards attempting to make the most of the rise up led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The ministry stated in an announcement Saturday that "we are cautioning Western countries against even a hint of using the internal situation in Russia for achieving their Russophobic goals."