The governor of Rostov region, Vasily Golubev, asked residents to avoid traveling on the M-4 Don highway. The request was issued through the official Telegram channel of regional authorities. In his message, the governor strongly advised inhabitants not to undertake trips along the M-4 Don at that time.
Golubev noted that traffic congestion stretched for kilometers due to restrictions placed on several sections of the route, impacting the Bataysk, Shakhty, Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, and Millerovo directions. Local authorities proceeded with traffic management measures to minimize delays and protect motorist safety.
According to the governor, regional rescue teams and units from the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations were ordered to render assistance to those caught in the standstill and to ensure that all necessary resources were available to support stranded drivers and passengers.
There were earlier statements from the former governor of Voronezh region, Gusev, who also urged drivers to avoid using the M-4 Don highway due to ongoing risks and disruptions.
On June 23, during remarks from the Russian Defense Ministry, a statement attributed to Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner private military company, claimed that rumors about an assault on Wagner rear camps by the RF Ministry of Defense were false and presented as an informational provocation. The defense ministry later acknowledged the need for clarity amid circulating videos and messages on social networks.
In response to the developments, Dmitry Peskov, the president’s press secretary, and Vladimir Putin himself were informed about the situation surrounding Prigozhin. The National Counter-Terrorism Committee subsequently announced that it had filed a lawsuit alleging incitement to military rebellion in connection with the posts and statements circulating online.
As authorities continued to monitor the situation and coordinate safety measures, regional officials stressed the importance of relying on official channels for updates and avoiding unverified information that could further destabilize transport networks or provoke unnecessary panic among residents and travelers across the affected areas.