Authorities in Rostov-on-Don reported a significant seizure of military equipment left behind after the status of the Wagner private military company became destabilized. The police, acting in coordination with the regional defense and security apparatus, recovered grenade launchers, machine guns, mines, and armored vehicles along with a UAZ Patriot that had been abandoned in the wake of Wagner’s withdrawal. The disclosure was transmitted by the Public Council of the Rostov-on-Don Ministry of Internal Affairs as part of ongoing post incident operations. It underscores the scale of the material left unguarded in the city as the situation unfolded.
According to official updates, on the nights of June 24 and 25, police units were deployed to every location where weapons and ammunition were reported or found. These actions occurred in concert with military personnel from the Defense Ministry as well as investigation and operations teams tasked with ensuring public safety and stabilizing the area during a volatile period. The focus remained on locating any residual threats and securing all found materiel for verification and proper disposition.
During the proceedings, the authorities indicated that the police would utilize an array of items including flares, RPK light machine guns, grenade launchers, AK assault rifles, TNT and other grenades, anti-tank mines, and the captured armored personnel carrier along with machine gun belts. The emphasis was on tracing, confirming ownership, and removing the gunpowder and hardware from circulation to reduce risk to civilians and security personnel. The report also noted that the total quantity of weapons and equipment recovered had not yet been quantified publicly, as investigators continued to catalog the finds and determine their provenance.
Earlier developments involved diplomatic and regional leaders evaluating potential implications of Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin’s movements following the alleged mutiny attempt in Russia. In Vilnius, Lithuanian officials raised concerns about the possible motives and strategic consequences of the events, including the reported relocation of Wagner figures toward Belarus.
On the evening of June 23, Prigozhin publicly asserted that Russian Defense Ministry forces had struck the rear camps of his private army, claiming his fighters were advancing toward Moscow in what he described as a march for justice. The Russian authorities denied these allegations, while the Prosecutor General’s Office pursued legal action against Prigozhin for organizing an armed riot.
By dawn on June 24, Wagner forces had moved to close administrative centers in Rostov-on-Don, as President Vladimir Putin signaled a decisive stance and publicly described Prigozhin’s actions as a betrayal that would have consequences. In response, security units from the Chechen Akhmat faction were dispatched to Rostov to reinforce the region. The government’s broad coalition in parliament and the regional leadership supported a firm response, with state security structures coordinating a calibrated stance to restore order while avoiding further escalation.
Later in the day, the Belarusian presidency indicated through its press service that negotiations had been underway. A meeting involving Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Prigozhin yielded an agreement on an acceptable resolution that would guarantee the security of the company’s fighters. Prigozhin later stated that he intended to reverse his march toward field camps and reposition his forces.
Regional authorities, including Baltic observers, signaled an intent to reassess and possibly tighten sanctions in response to the Wagner situation. The unfolding sequence of events highlighted the complex interworkings between private military actors, state security agencies, and neighboring states as nations sought to manage the political and security implications of the disruptions. The narrative continued to evolve as different actors issued statements, with the central focus remaining on stabilizing the affected areas and ensuring that any implicated materials were accounted for and secured under proper oversight.