In a formal statement, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced the abolition of all restrictions tied to the anti-terrorist operational regime. The decision reflects a reassessment of security concerns and aims to restore normal administrative and public life across the capital. The mayor stated that schools would hold graduations scheduled for July 1, signaling a return to customary civic ceremonies after the heightened security posture.
The anti-terrorist operation regime was concurrently lifted in the Moscow region, according to updates from TASS referencing the Federal Security Service for Moscow and the surrounding area. Officials noted that there was no longer any immediate threat to life, health, property, or other legally protected interests, which justified the removal of the CTO restrictions. The legal framework for the CTO in Moscow and the Moscow region was set to expire at 09:00 Moscow time on June 26, 2023, marking a transition toward routine governance and public safety operations.
The regime had been introduced on June 24 in Moscow, the Moscow region, and the Voronezh region in response to the escalating events surrounding the uprising. On the evening of June 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military company, claimed that forces from the Russian Defense Ministry had attacked rear camps of his organization, and that his fighters were advancing toward Moscow in a so‑called “march for justice.” The Defense Ministry rejected these accusations, while the Prosecutor General’s Office filed a lawsuit against Prigozhin for organizing an armed riot. These developments underscored a tense moment in the national security landscape.
By the morning of June 24, Wagner forces had moved to seal administrative buildings in Rostov-on-Don, as President Vladimir Putin began taking steps toward Moscow. Putin described the actions of the Wagner leadership as a betrayal and warned Prigozhin and his subordinates about the consequences. Support from the State Duma, the Federation Council, and leaders in several regions resulted in the Chechen Akhmat forces being deployed to Rostov to stabilize the situation.
That evening, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s press service briefed that negotiations had produced an agreed pathway to resolve the crisis. It was reported that an acceptable solution would guarantee security for Wagner fighters while addressing the broader concerns that had triggered the confrontation. Wagner’s leadership subsequently stated that they would reverse some of their positions and redirect forces back toward field camps as part of the negotiated settlement. The episode highlighted the fragility of security arrangements during periods of rapid political change and the importance of coordinated responses among regional and international partners, even amid competing narratives and assertions.