Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the chief of the Wagner mercenary group of treason and main an "armed mutiny".
He claimed the actions of one-time ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, who's leading a bid to oust Russia's defence minister, had been a "stab in the back" to the nation's troopers and other people.
It got here as Prigozhin claimed he and his troops have reached Rostov-on-Don after crossing the Russian border from Ukraine and brought management of key websites together with the airfield.
Ukraine warfare newest: Wagner boss and his troops 'reach key Russian military city'
The metropolis is residence to the Russian army headquarters that oversees the preventing in Ukraine.
The mercenary drive has additionally seized management of army amenities within the metropolis of Voronezh, round 310 miles (500km) south of Moscow, in line with the Kremlin.
Prigozhin has vowed to "destroy anyone who stands in our way".
"This is not an armed rebellion, but a march of justice," he stated.
But responding, Putin stated: "It's the equal to armed mutiny.
"Russia will defend itself and repel this move.
"We are preventing the life and safety of our residents.
"It's an attempt to subvert us from inside.
"This is a stab within the again to our troops and the folks of Russia."
Prigozhin has had a long-running feud with the defence ministry in Moscow led by Sergei Shoigu, who he claimed had targeted his troops and ordered a rocket strike on Wagner's camps in Ukraine - killing "an enormous variety of our comrades".
He said the assault happened after he branded the country's military top brass as "evil" and said the Kremlin's rationale for invading Ukraine last February was based on lies.
This has been denied by the department, describing the allegations as "unfaithful and an informational provocation".
The FSB security service has urged the mercenary fighters not to carry out "felony and traitorous orders" and to detain Prigozhin.
Read extraPrigozhin's rebellion could trigger Putin's most serious domestic crisisWho is Yevgeny Prigozhin and why does Putin feel threatened by him?
In an indication of how critically the Kremlin takes the risk, safety was heightened in Moscow.
While the result of the confrontation was nonetheless unclear, it appeared more likely to additional hinder Moscow's warfare effort as Kyiv's forces check Russian defences within the preliminary phases of a counter-offensive.
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The dispute might even have repercussions for Putin and his skill to keep up a united entrance.
The Wagner forces have performed an important position in Russia's warfare in Ukraine, succeeding in taking town the place the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place, Bakhmut.
But Prigozhin has more and more criticised Russia's army management, accusing it of incompetence and of ravenous his troops of weapons and ammunition.
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