(Dan Tri) – The leader of the Russian private military organization Wagner announced that this force shot down a Russian military helicopter amid escalating tensions.
Wagner tycoon Yevgeny Prigozhin (left) talks with Wagner warriors in Bakhmut, Ukraine (Photo: Reuters).
`A (Russian) helicopter just opened fire on a civilian convoy. Wagner’s units shot down this helicopter,` Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Russian private military organization Wagner, announced on March 24.
According to Mr. Prigozhin, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Army ordered the deployment of military helicopters to attack the convoy entering Rostov, and said some Russian pilots refused this order.
Russia has not yet commented on the above information.
Previously, Mr. Prigozhin announced that Wagner units had entered Rostov province in southern Russia, which borders Ukraine, to `demand justice`.
`Now we are entering Rostov. The units of the Ministry of Defense, or rather conscripts, who were deployed to block our path, have stepped aside,` Mr. Prigozhin said.
Military vehicles appeared in Russia’s Rostov region when security was tightened on June 24 (Photo: Reuters).
In a recording that appeared on June 23, Mr. Prigozhin accused Russia of launching a missile attack on Wagner’s base in the Rostov region, killing many of this force’s fighters.
`Tens of thousands of lives of Russian soldiers will be punished. I ask that no one be allowed to resist,` Mr. Prigozhin said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has denied Mr. Wagner’s accusations of spreading false information.
Russia’s anti-terrorism committee said the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) had `opened a criminal investigation against boss Wagner on charges of inciting armed rebellion. Russian Prosecutor General’s Office
Police on duty near the presidential palace on a blocked road in Moscow, Russia on June 24 (Photo: Reuters).
News agency TASS cited information from local law enforcement agencies as saying that Russia has tightened security measures in Moscow, increasing the protection of important facilities in the capital.
`Security measures have been strengthened in Moscow, all the most important facilities, state agencies and transport infrastructure have been given increased protection,` Russian law enforcement agencies announced.
The Special Police Unit and the Special Rapid Reaction Unit of the Russian Self-Defense Forces have also been placed on alert.
Wagner forces have fought alongside the Russian regular army in offensives in several areas of Ukraine.
Leader Wagner in May announced the withdrawal of troops from the city of Bakhmut in Eastern Ukraine after declaring control over this pan of fire.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said Ukraine is gathering a number of brigades to prepare for a counterattack in the direction of Bakhmut, taking advantage of the rioting situation of Wagner forces.
`Taking advantage of Prigozhin’s provocation to disrupt the situation, Kiev authorities are focusing units of the 35th Marine Brigade and 36th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the direction of Bakhmut tactics to