Civil war in Russia???

[5thDragoons]

Things are getting hot quickly there, and confirmed reports are few at the moment. Prigozhin (head of the mercenary Wagner Group) is wanted for trying to incite a coup against Putin. Wagner's main base has been surrounded by OMON (para-military police force and genuine bad asses). FSB (formerly KGB) has a warrant for Prigozhin... Wagner commanders loyal to Prigozhin are mobilizing...

Unconfirmed reports suggest certain Russian army units will be recalled to "maintain order".

Moscow is under "Citadel Law" - just short of martial law. I try not to buy into negative news, but this is actually big. SW

[Allen]

If we could just get China, Iran and NK to follow also.

[Embalmer]

Fighting has begun as lead columns of Wagner crossed into Russia on way to moment.

[Art]

Fighting has begun as lead columns of Wagner crossed into Russia on way to moment.

In Russia these things seem to be settled very quickly...we'll see.

[Embalmer]

Took over military complex in ronstov including supplies storage and a airfield. They just drove around the roadblocks while russian troops just watched. Looks like getting ready to send armored vehicles further in towards Moscow.

Way putin is reacting, seems genuinely concerned about ability to protect Moscow. If that other guy did intentionally target wagners camps, then he def bit the wrong hand as they were more successful in Ukraine then Russia has been. He def seems he'll bent to end the Ukraine hostilities in Moscow now that he's been scorned. Other side of coin is the likelihood of Russia going scorched earth just increased to try to save face from massive defeat.

[Major Tom]

I'll side with the Wagner group and hope they can end the war in Ukraine and also Biden's money laundering with Zewlinsky!

[Embalmer]

Wagner seizes military facilities in second city​

Wagner fighters have taken control of all military facilities in the city of Voronezh, a halfway point between Rostov-on-Don (where Wagner also says it's in charge) and the capital Moscow.

Voronezh city officials are yet to publicly comment on the claim.

Meanwhile, Voronezh region governor Aleksandr Gusev has warned that there are many fake reports circulating about a movement of an armoured column in the region.

He also says the Russian armed forces are now carrying out "operational and combat measures" in the Voronezh region as part of the early declared counter-terrorist operation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-66006142

Putin talks about civil war and coup​

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is "fighting for survival" and that there are attempts to "organise a rebellion" in the country.

Source: Putin, during his video address

Quote from Putin: "I am addressing those who have been drawn by deception or threats into a criminal adventure, onto the path of the grave crime of armed rebellion...

This is a stab in the back of the country and the people.

This is exactly the blow dealt to Russia in 1917 when the country was fighting the First World War. But the victory was stolen from it. Intrigues, squabbles, and politicking behind the backs of the army and the people resulted in the most significant upheaval, the destruction of the army and the collapse of the state, and the loss of vast territories. It resulted in the tragedy of the civil war...

We will not allow this to happen again. We will protect our people and our statehood from any threats. In particular, from domestic betrayal.

And treason is exactly what we have faced. Excessive ambitions and personal interests have led to treason...

I repeat that any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood and our nation. This is a blow to Russia, to our people."

Putin did admit the situation in Rostov-on-Don was "difficult" following Wagner's claims it had seized control of the airport and army headquarters in the city near the Ukrainian border.

"There will be decisive measures taken on stabilizing the situation in Rostov-on-Don," Putin told the nation.

www.pravda.com.ua
Putin talks about civil war and coup in address
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is “fighting for survival” and that there are attempts to “organise a rebellion” in the country.
www.pravda.com.ua www.pravda.com.ua

[Vern Humphrey]

This is the end anyone could have predicted -- Putin basically committed suicide when he invaded the Ukraine.

[Embalmer]

-Wagner forces reported 2 hours from Moscow city center
-Russia 22nd special forces brigade and quite a few border guards swapped sides and joined Wagner

- chechen forces rolling towards Wagner

Defenses being built around Moscow, bridges wired to blow if they get close

Troop transport and 2 other aircraft shot down killing all in board by Wagner

Putin has fled Moscow via aircraft


This is definitely not what expected to be reading today.

[Art]

It seems that the military and civilian leaders of Rostov and Verozneh have declared their cities "open." Prigozhin has been complaining bitterly and publicly for some time about incompetence both at the staff level in Moscow and in the senior leadership in the field. He commands some of the most capable and well equipped Russian troops but has been having serious trouble with supply including, but not limited to, ammunition from the start of the campaign. The last straw seems to have been an air strike on one of his camps which he blames on the Russian hierarchy.

Having two elite free standing divisions with organic armor and artillery simply pull out of the line and march north can't be good for the Russian situation on every level imaginable. If I were in the Ukrainian command, and they aren't stupid, I'd know where my next move would be.

both the 1917 and 1990 revolutions occurred when the military, led by the "rank and file" decided it could no longer support the government and went over to the rebels. If that happens the end will come quickly. If the military decides to stick with Putin they have enough sheer mass to to defeat the rebel forces though that will take longer.

Mercenary...its a bit of a stretch to call the Wagner group mercenaries in the usual sense anymore than to call the defenders of the CIA complex in Bengazhi mercenaries. The Wagner group is made up of former Russian military members, many from elite units who are, basically, fighting for Russia through a proxy corporation for better pay based on their experience and skill set. In some ways they are more like the Waffen SS which was not part of the German Army as such but rather "the "Party Army." They have just been used heavily in the "Special Operations" mode rather than as line units which is what their function in the Ukraine has been. Probably the most "mercenary" organization operating for a major country is the French Foreign Legion which operates exclusively outside of "Maritime France" and is made up largely of non French nationals.