After a night of bewildering chaos, Yevgeny Prigozhin, commander of the notorious Wagner group, has made a stunning claim that he currently occupies the Russian army headquarters in Rostov-on-Don. More audaciously, he asserts that his mercenary forces have seized control of the city's military installations.
It is important to note that these claims cannot be substantiated independently, especially considering Prigozhin's penchant for making outrageous and often inaccurate statements. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that the situation in this strategically crucial southern Russian city is tenuous. The upheaval within this region could have far-reaching consequences for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which Moscow closely monitors.
What exactly transpired?
On Friday, Prigozhin accused Russian troops of launching a devastating rocket attack that resulted in the deaths of numerous Wagner fighters. This marked a significant escalation in the long-standing feud between Prigozhin and high-ranking Russian military commanders. In response, Prigozhin declared that his forces would march on Rostov.
In the subsequent hours, unverified videos and images circulated on social media, showcasing armed individuals roaming the streets of Rostov. These armed groups congregated near the regional police headquarters and stationed tanks outside the local military command's main office.
Cognizant of the mounting tension, the region's governor has urged citizens to avoid traveling to the city center and, if possible, to remain indoors.
By early Saturday morning, Prigozhin released a video in which he claimed to have infiltrated Rostov's primary military command and assumed control.
Why is Rostov-on-Don a significant location?
Rostov-on-Don stands as the largest city in southern Russia, serving as the capital of the adjoining Rostov region that borders parts of eastern Ukraine currently embroiled in conflict.
Situated merely 60 miles (100km) from Ukraine's border, this city is home to the command of the Russian southern military district. Within this district, the 58th Combined Arms Army is actively engaged in combat against Kyiv's counteroffensive in the southern region of Ukraine, according to reports from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) thinktank.
Furthermore, Rostov houses the command center for the Russian joint group of forces operating in Ukraine. Consequently, it assumes a pivotal role as a logistical hub for the Russian military.
Any threat to the presence of Russian armed forces in this city would undoubtedly reverberate across critical facets of the ongoing war effort, warns the ISW.
Implications for the Ukraine conflict
Despite Prigozhin's claim of control over Rostov's military installations, he assures that his operation will not hinder Russia's overall war strategy.
In a statement released on Saturday, Prigozhin conveyed that his fighters have secured an aerodrome, but stressed that planes engaged in the Ukrainian offensive continue to operate without disruption, departing from the airfield as usual.
"We have taken control of [the aerodrome] to prevent attack aircraft from targeting us, redirecting their strikes towards Ukrainians instead," Prigozhin declared.
In an additional video, the authenticity of which remains unverified, Prigozhin is seen addressing military officials, asserting that his mercenaries will not interfere with their command over troops. However, he accuses their orders in Ukraine of leading to significant losses.
"Our purpose here is to put an end to the disgrace within our nation," Prigozhin proclaimed, before adding, "We are saving Russia."