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Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin claims control of major Russian city Rostov-on-Don
The boss of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, says he has seized “all military facilities” in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don.
The announcement comes hours after he threatened to topple Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. President Vladimir Putin said this was “a stab in the back” and pledged to punish those who had “betrayed” Russia. He acknowledged the situation in Rostov remained difficult. Tightened security has been introduced in Moscow.
The Wagner Group is a private army of mercenaries that has been fighting alongside the regular Russian army in Ukraine. Tension has been growing between them over how the war has been fought, with Prigozhin launching vocal criticisms of Russia’s military leadership in recent months.
The dramatic escalation came after Prigozhin accused Russia’s military of hitting his group’s base in Ukraine – a claim denied by Moscow. Prigozhin claims this is not a military coup – but his aim seems to be to topple Russia’s military leadership, reports the BBC’s Russia editor Steve Rosenberg in Moscow.
In a video posted on his Telegram channel on Saturday, Prigozhin said his fighters had entered Rostov-on-Don after crossing the border from Ukraine – and said his men would destroy anyone who stood in their way. He said his forces had shot down a Russian military helicopter that “opened fire on a civilian convoy” – no location was given and that assertion could not be immediately verified.
The local governor in Rostov urged citizens there to keep calm and stay indoors.Wagner forces are also said to be in control of military facilities in the city of Voronezh, north of Rostov and on route to Moscow.
In his TV address on Saturday, Putin described the action as a “betrayal” by people putting personal ambitions above the interests of Russia. Looking stern, the Russian president said those responsible – without mentioning Prigozhin by name – would be held responsible. Praising Wagner mercenaries for their involvement in the war in Ukraine, he urged them not to follow their bosses.
Prigozhin and President Putin used to have a close relationship. But the latest challenge is a headache for the Russian leader – on top of the fact that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has not been going to plan – our Moscow correspondent says, and Putin has decided to now say “enough is enough”.
(BBC)
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to appoint Ms. P. M. Jayadeera (Engineer) in the Special Grade of Sri Lanka Engineering Service serving at present as the Additional Secretary (Water Resources Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to the post of Director General which will be vacant from 06.10.2026.
Approval has been granted at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 08.06.2026 to prepare a draft bill for restructuring Sri Lanka Cricket.
Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has formulated Sri Lanka draft bill providing legal provisions for the administration of Sri
Lanka Cricket, control, regulation, promotion, establishment of Sri Lanka Cricket for the development and administration, through the concepts of better governance, integrity, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and providing equal opportunities for the betterment of the cricket sport, establishment of Sri Lanka Cricket for securing the wellbeing of all participants and securing cricket from corruption and other mal practices.
Clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the said draft bill. Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been received for the resolution furnished by the Minister of
Youth Affairs and Sports to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
Appointment of Cabinet Sub-Committee for the Organization of 79th Independence Day Commemoration
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Council, and Local Government to appoint a Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by the Prime Minister and with the participation of relevant Ministers, to organize and direct the affairs of the country’s 79th Independence Day Commemoration
Ceremony, which falls on 2027-02-04.
A Joint Regional Initiative to Ensure the Digital Safety of Children
PM meets with IMF delegation
Ms. P. M. Jayadeera (Engineer) appointed Director General of Irrigation
Sri Lanka Cricket Draft Bill to be gazetted
Cabinet approves purchase of machinery for the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation
Cabinet approval for Project to Build Secure, Skilled, and Empowered Community for families resettled at the at Kalinga Mawatha, housing scheme
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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