The Russian Defense Ministry released a post on its telegraph channel titled Harmony and Unity, featuring a photograph of troops and military equipment bearing national symbols. The message followed the decision by Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Private Military Company, to disperse the columns heading toward Moscow. The image depicts soldiers seated atop equipment, weapons in hand, and the post has drawn a substantial number of positive reactions—over 17,400 so far (citation: official ministry release).
On the evening of June 23, Prigozhin alleged that forces from the Russian Defense Ministry attacked the rear camps of the Wagner group, claiming his fighters were moving toward Moscow in a so-called “march for justice” (citation: Prigozhin’s statements). The Defense Ministry denied these charges. Later, the Prosecutor General’s Office filed a lawsuit against Prigozhin for organizing an armed riot (citation: legal filings).
The morning of June 24 saw Wagner forces seize control of administrative buildings in Rostov-on-Don, prompting President Vladimir Putin to travel toward Moscow. Putin criticized Prigozhin’s leadership, calling the actions a betrayal and warning the head of the private army and his subordinates of consequences. The Federation Council, the State Duma, and regional leaders expressed support for countermeasures, and Chechen forces from Akhmat were dispatched to Rostov to reinforce security (citation: official statements).
Later that evening, the press service of the Belarus president’s office announced that negotiations between Alexander Lukashenko and Prigozhin had produced a near-term resolution. The parties reportedly agreed on a secure and acceptable solution for the Wagner fighters, while Prigozhin was said to have decided to revert the march and return his columns to controlled field camps. The Wagner leadership faced accusations of riot, with ongoing discourse about accountability and future steps (citation: diplomatic briefings).