The Uncertain Future of Rostov as Wagner Group Enters the City
Introduction
After Wagner Group commander Yevgeny Prigozhin announced his entry into the city of Rostov, which is strategically important in southern Russia and close to Ukraine, the future of the city, prepared for security and with military checkpoints, is in a state of uncertainty.
Confirmation of Entry
Prigozhin confirmed that he had entered the region’s eponymous regional center and that his men had not opened fire on the unit’s recruits placed in his path.
whoever controls Rostov will also control the main supply line for Almost all Russian force in Ukraine https://t.co/dBqLugS6M7
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 24, 2023
“Only Professionals Will Fight”
He added that “only professionals will fight”, saying that he does not want to kill “children”, but also stressed that “they will destroy everything that gets in their way”, noting that his fighters shot down a Russian helicopter there.
Military Installations and Armed Men in Uniform
According to him, they took control of military installations in Rostov, including the city’s airport.
In addition, videos of Rostov channels on Telegram showed armed men in uniform surrounding the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the city.
Governor’s Call for Security Measures
The governor of the city, Vasily Golubev, called on the security forces to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the residents of the area, and also asked everyone to remain calm and not leave their homes unless absolutely necessary.
Strategic Importance of Rostov
Meanwhile, observers attached strategic importance to the city, especially since it is considered one of the supply routes for Russian troops, as it is located close to the border with Ukraine.
M03 Motorway and Rostov’s Location
It is close to the strategic M03 motorway near Slovakia, which connects Kyiv with Kharkiv and continues to the Russian border near Rostov.
The center of Rostov is located 1067 km southeast of Moscow and is located in the southeast of the East European Plain, with most of the city located on the right bank of the Don River.
Eastern Ukrainian Railroads and Wagner’s Removal
Eastern Ukrainian railroads pass through Rostov, and removing Wagner from Rostov would require, according to observers, an equally large force, turning the city into a war zone and thus cutting off supply lines.
Strengthening Security Measures in Voronezh and Lipetsk
In the same context, the local administration of the Voronezh region in southern Russia (located north of Rostov) urged residents to avoid the north-south M-4 highway connecting Moscow and the southern regions, as a military convoy moves along it.
In turn, the governor of the Lipetsk region of Russia, located 420 km south of Moscow (north of Voronezh), announced “increased security measures.”
The Wagner PMC Group has announced that they captured the headquarters of the Southern Military District within the city of Rostov-on-Don in Rostov region of Southwest Russia. rice.twitter.com/730rL9uetq
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 24, 2023
Prigozhin Declares Disobedience
It is noteworthy that the leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who announced an uprising against the Russian military leadership, promised today, Saturday, to “go to the end” and “destroy everything that stands in his way”, stressing that his troops entered the territory of Russia.
“We continue and go to the end,” Prigozhin said in a Telegram audio message, after announcing that his forces “crossed (…) the borders of the Russian state” after they were deployed in Ukraine. And Prigozhin assures that he has 25,000 fighters.
Confirmation of Rostov Entry
Prigozhin confirmed that he had “driven into Rostov,” a city in southern Russia near Ukraine.
