Wagner Group rebellion LIVE: Wagner chief will move to Belarus after deal ends march on Moscow, Kremlin says

Wagner mercenary force chief Yevgeny Prigozhin will move to Belarus under a deal made by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the Kremlin has said.

Mr Prigozhin has reportedly said he has ordered his mercenaries to halt their march on Moscow “to avoid shedding Russian blood”.

“To avoid bloodshed we are returning our convoys to bases,” Mr Prigozhin said in an audio message, Reuters reported.

Moscow’s mayor earlier said that “a counter-terrorist operation regime has been declared in Moscow” as the Wagner mercenary military approached the capital.

Sergei Sobyanin put out a statement on Telegram asking people to “refrain from travelling around the city as much as possible” and said “City services are on high alert.”

“The situation is difficult,” he said, saying it’s possible some roads or neighbourhoods in the city will be closed to traffic, and that Monday will be a “non-working day” to “minimise risks”.

It comes as witnesses described Russian army helicopters opened fire on the Wagner mercenary military convoy on a highway in Russia on the way to the capital amid the rebellion ordered by its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

President Vladimir Putin vowed to crush an armed mutiny he compared to Russia's Civil War a century ago.

Fighters from Mr Prigozhin's private Wagner militia were in control of Rostov-on-Don, a city of more than a million people close to the border with Ukraine, and were rapidly advancing northwards through western Russia and said it had taken over the central military HQ for operations in Ukraine.

Mr Prigozhin, whose private army fought the bloodiest battles in Ukraine even as he feuded for months with the top brass in the country’s military, said he had captured the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in Rostov after leading his forces into Russia from Ukraine.

He posted a series of angry video and audio recordings in which he accused Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering a deadly rocket strike Friday on Wagner‘s field camps in Ukraine, where his troops are fighting on behalf of Russia.

The action is "the most significant challenge to the Russian state" in recent times, according to UK defence officials. The UK government has held an emergency Cobra meeting over the rebellion and is monitoring the situation closely.

Russian mercenary boss says troops willing to go ‘all the way’ in rebellion

07:30 , Matt Watts

Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Saturday his Wagner fighters had crossed the border into Russia from Ukraine and were prepared to go "all the way" against Moscow's military, hours after the Kremlin accused him of armed mutiny.

As a long-running standoff between Prigozhin and the military top brass appeared to come to a head, Russia's FSB security service opened a criminal case against him, TASS news agency said. It called on the Wagner private military company forces to ignore his orders and arrest him.

Wagner fighters had entered the southern Russian city of Rostov, Prigozhin said in an audio recording posted on Telegram. He said he and his men would destroy anyone who stood in their way. Prigozhin earlier said, without providing evidence, that Russia's military leadership had killed a huge number of his troops in an air strike and vowed to punish them.

He said his actions were not a military coup. But in a frenzied series of audio messages, in which the sound of his voice sometimes varied and could not be independently verified, he appeared to suggest that his 25,000-strong militia was en route to oust the leadership of the defence ministry in Moscow.

Security was stepped up on Friday night at government buildings, transport facilities and other key locations in Moscow, TASS reported, citing a source at a security service.

Zelensky adviser on Wagner operation: 'Everything is just beginning in Russia'

07:40 , Sami Quadri

A senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the actions by Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin as a “counter-terrorist operation” and said that “everything is just beginning in Russia”.

"The split between the elites is too obvious. Agreeing and pretending that everything is settled won’t work," Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted on Saturday.

"Someone must definitely lose: either Prigozhin...or the collective ‘anti-Prygozhin’," he added.

"Everything is just beginning in Russia."

Russian mercenary chief ‘seizes Russian city of Rostov-on-Don’

07:46 , Sami Quadri

Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Saturday he had taken control of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don as part of an attempt to oust the military leadership amid what the authorities said was an armed mutiny.

Prigozhin demanded that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff, whom he has pledged to oust over what he says is their disastrous leadership of the war against Ukraine, come to see him in Rostov, a city near the Ukrainian border.

He had earlier said that he had 25,000 fighters moving towards Moscow to “restore justice” and had alleged, without providing evidence, that the military had killed a huge number of fighters from his Wagner private militia in an air strike, something the defence ministry denied.

“Those who destroyed our lads, who destroyed the lives of many tens of thousands of Russian soldiers, will be punished. I ask that no one offer resistance...,” he said in one of many frenzied audio messages.

“There are 25,000 of us and we are going to figure out why chaos is happening in the country,” he said, promising to destroy any checkpoints or air forces that got in Wagner's way.

Wagner ‘controls military facilities in Voronezh, 500 km south of Moscow'

07:50 , Sami Quadri

A Russian security source told Reuters that Wagner Group mercenary fighters had taken control of all military facilities in the city of Voronezh, around 500 km (310 miles) south of Moscow.

Wagner leader ‘warned of revolution over Ukraine war’

07:59 , Sami Quadri

Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin had previously warned the nation could face a revolution over the war in Ukraine.

In May, he suggested the homes of the Russian elite could be stormed by citizens in anger at the deaths.

Prigozhin said of the war: “During the [special military operation], I pulled out 50,000 inmates from jails. Twenty per cent of them died.”

He criticised the elite in Russia, who he said continued to live normally while huge numbers of lives are lost.

BREAKING: Putin making TV address

08:04 , Sami Quadri

Putin accuses Prigozhin of treason

08:05 , Sami Quadri

Vladimir Putin has accused Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and his troops of staging “armed mutiny”.

“This is a criminal adventuristic campaign. It is equivalent to armed mutiny. Russia will defend itself,” says the Russian president.

“We are fighting for the life and security of our citizens and our territorial integrity.”

He continues: “It is an attempt to subvert us from inside. This is treason.”

Putin accuses Wagner of causing ‘anarchy’

08:12 , Sami Quadri

Putin has warned that Russia is locked in a battle against “anarchy and capitulation”.

"This internal mutiny is a mortal blow to us," he said, adding that the situation around Rostov remains “very complicated”.

"I am doing everything to repel this attack," he says, describing it as a stab in the back.

"Those who mutiny have betrayed Russia and I urge anybody involved in it to cease any kind of participation in armed conflict."

08:13 , Sami Quadri

President Vladimir Putin has called an armed rebellion by the Wagner mercenary group chief a “betrayal”, and has promised to “defend the people” and Russia.

Poland monitoring situation in Russia

08:37 , Sami Quadri

Poland's president held consultations with the prime minister and defence ministry about the situation in Russia, he said on Saturday, adding that Warsaw was monitoring the situation.

“In connection with the situation in Russia, this morning we held consultations with the prime minister and the ministry of defence, as well as with allies,” Andrzej Duda wrote on Twitter.

“The course of events beyond our eastern border is monitored on an ongoing basis,” he said.

UK says Russian state now facing greatest challenge of recent times

08:41 , Sami Quadri

Britain's defence ministry says the Russian state is facing its greatest security challenge of recent times, following what it said appeared to be a move by Wagner Group forces towards Moscow.

“Over the coming hours, the loyalty of Russia's security forces, and especially the Russian National Guard, will be key to how this crisis plays out. This represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times,” Britain's defence ministry said in a regular intelligence update.

Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin?

08:58 , Sami Quadri

Prigozhin, a businessman who is also known as "Putin’s chef" for his Kremlin catering contracts, has become an influential figure in Russia.

Born in the Soviet Union in 1961, he spent much of his teens in and out of jail for crimes including fraud and robbery.

Prigozhin launched a number of businesses, including grocery and gambling firms, following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

He was at one stage thought to have a net worth in excess of $1billion. His wife, Lyubov Prigozhina, described as a pharmacist and businesswoman, owned many companies that have now expanded to a chain of boutiques in St Petersburg, as well as a wellness centre in the Leningrad region and a boutique hotel.

Prigozhin was previously living on a $105 million St Petersburg estate, which included a house for his daughter Polina, who boasted on social media that the family’s yacht - named St Vitamin - had ‘six bedrooms, a dining room, a terrace, a kitchen, rooms for the staff, two decks and a terrace’.

He created the Wagner Group during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014.

The mercenary operation has continued to expand in recent years, with forays as far afield as the Middle East and Africa. In Syria, Wagner’s forces helped to prop up genocidal dictator Bashar al-Assad, while in Africa the group hoovered up mineral resources in countries such as Sudan, Central African Republic and Mali.

Wagner mercenaries, many recruited from prisons, have featured prominently in the current war in Ukraine.

Prighozin has frequently excoriated the military top brass over their lack of support for his outfit.

UK foreign ministry warns of risk of unrest across Russia

09:02 , Sami Quadri

Britain's foreign ministry warned of a risk of unrest across Russia following a coup attempt by Wagner mercenaries.

“There are reports of military tensions in the Rostov region and a risk of further unrest across the country. Additionally, there is a lack of available flight options to return to the UK,” Britain's foreign ministry said.

Britain's government continued to advise against all travel to Russia.

Governments across the world ‘closely monitoring situation’

09:13 , Sami Quadri

The French and German governments are closely monitoring the fast-moving situation in Russia.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is keeping close tabs on the situation, a spokesperson at the government's press office said on Saturday.

“We are monitoring events in Russia closely,” said the spokesperson.

French President Emmanuel Macron is also following closely, the presidential palace said.

“We stay focused on the support to Ukraine,” the Elysee said.

Pictured: Wagner forces in Rostov-on-Don

09:27 , Sami Quadri

Putin briefs Belarusian president on situation in Russia

09:35 , Sami Quadri

Vladimir Putin briefed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on the situation in Russia on Saturday, according to a message posted on the Belarusian presidency's official Telegram channel.

Putin has vowed to crush what he calls an armed mutiny after rebellious mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said he had taken control of a southern city as part of an attempt to oust the military leadership.

Three killed in latest Russian air strikes on Ukraine

09:57 , Sami Quadri

At least three people were killed in Kyiv early on Saturday after Russia unleashed its latest overnight air strikes on Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said missiles had targeted at least five regions across the country. Three people were killed and eight wounded after a high-rise in the capital was struck, he said.

"This is the style of terrorists. The style of Russia," he wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Video appears to show Prigozhin meeting with Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister

10:05 , Sami Quadri

A video that appeared on Telegram on Saturday showed mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin meeting with Russia's Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and deputy chief of the General Staff Vladimir Alexeyev.

In the video, whose origin could not be independently verified, Prigozhin claimed that he and his troops were “saving Russia” and demanded that the Russian authorities give up Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

“We want to get the chief of the General Staff and Shoigu,” Prigozhin said. “Until they are here, we are here, we are blocking the city of Rostov and go toward Moscow.”

In the video, Yevkurov and Alexeyev tried to persuade Prigozhin to withdraw his forces from Roston-on-Don, but to no avail.

Prigozhin, a billionaire with ties to the Kremlin, has a long-running feud with the Russian military leadership.

Chechen leader says his forces are ready to help end Wagner mutiny

10:07 , Sami Quadri

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said his forces are ready to help combat a mutiny by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

In a statement, Kadyrov called Prigozhin's behaviour “a knife in the back” and called on Russian soldiers not to give in to any "provocations."

He said his forces are prepared to use harsh methods if necessary.

Loyalty of Russia security forces ‘key to how crisis plays out’ for Moscow after Wagner rebellion

10:11 , Sami Quadri

An armed rebellion led by the Wagner mercenary group marks “the most significant challenge to the Russian state” in recent times, according to UK defence officials.

In its latest intelligence briefing, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that “over the coming hours, the loyalty of Russia’s security forces… will be key to how the crisis plays out” as Wagner forces appear to be moving towards the Russian capital.

You can read more on the MoD’s update here.

Vladimir Putin calls rebellion by Wagner mercenary leader ‘treason’

10:14 , Sami Quadri

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called an armed rebellion led by the Wagner mercenary group chief a “betrayal”, and has promised to “defend the people“ and Russia.

Mr Putin addressed the nation on Saturday morning after mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and his troops reached the key Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.

The Russian leader said the move by the Wagner group had blocked civilian and military governing bodies in the southern city.

And Mr Putin warned that his country is now facing “the toughest battle for its future”.

Further detail can be found here.

Estonia boosts security on Russian border, PM Kallas says

10:24 , Sami Quadri

Estonia has strengthened its border security and urges people not to travel to any part of neighbouring Russia, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said on Saturday.

“I can assure that there is no direct threat to our country,” Kallas tweeted.

Prigozhin defies Putin’s orders as he calls his fighters ‘patriots’

10:43 , Sami Quadri

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has said that he and his men refuse to bow to pressure from President Vladimir Putin to turn themselves in.

He also rejected Putin's allegation of betrayal, calling his Wagner Group fighters “patriots”.

Germany tells travellers to avoid Moscow city centre

10:45 , Sami Quadri

Germany's foreign ministry has told travellers to avoid Rostov and Moscow city centre until further notice.

“In Moscow, state, especially military facilities, are to be avoided. The city centre should be avoided until further notice. The instructions of Russian security authorities should be followed at all costs,” it said in its updated travel advice.

Rishi Sunak declines to give verdict on Russian coup attempt

11:13 , Sami Quadri

Rishi Sunak declined to say whether it is good or bad news that Russian president Vladimir Putin is being challenged.

The Prime Minister told the BBC: “It’s an evolving situation, and I think the right thing at this juncture is for us to make sure that we’re on top of it, that we’re in touch with our allies, which we are and I’ll be speaking to them later today, and that we call on all parties to exercise responsibility and to protect civilian lives.”

Asked whether he had spoken to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenksy, Mr Sunak repeated that he is in contact with allies “as you would expect us to be co-ordinated on a situation like this”.

Pressed on advice for British citizens remaining in Russia, the Prime Minister said the UK has “had long-standing travel advice against travel to Russia” and “people should keep checking the Foreign Office website for updates”. Rishi Sunak said he will be speaking to allies about the armed rebellion by the Wagner Group in Russia as he urged all parties involved to protect civilian lives.

The Prime Minister told the BBC: “We’re keeping a close eye on the situation as it’s evolving on the ground as we speak.“We’re in touch with our allies and, in fact, I’ll be speaking to some of them later today.

“But the most important thing I’d say is for all parties to be responsible and to protect civilians, and that’s about as much as I can say at this moment.”

Zelensky says ‘Russia’s weakness is obvious’

11:16 , Sami Quadri

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said “Russia’s weakness is obvious” and suggested a coup attempt was inevitable.

He made the comments on the Telegram messaging app amid an apparent mutiny on Saturday by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin against the Russian military.

“Russia’s weakness is obvious. Full-scale weakness,” Zelensky wrote.

“And the longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries on our land, the more chaos, pain and problems it will have for itself later.”

Fuel tank at oil depot on fire in Russia's Voronezh region, says governor

11:27 , Sami Quadri

The governor of Russia's Voronezh region says emergency services are trying to put out a burning fuel tank at an oil depot.

Alexander Gusev said more than 100 firefighters and 30 units of equipment were on the scene to tackle the blaze.

It follows reports that Wagner fighters have taken control of military facilities in the city of Voronezh, about 500 km (310 miles) south of Moscow.

Ukraine's foreign minister: 'Time to abandon false neutrality' on Russia

12:06 , Sami Quadri

Ukraine's foreign minister has urged the international community to “abandon false neutrality” on Russia and provide Kyiv the weapons it needs to push Moscow's forces out of Ukrainian territory.

Dmytro Kuleba made the remarks amid an apparent mutiny by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin against the Russian military.

“Those who said Russia was too strong to lose: look now,” Kuleba tweeted. “Time to abandon false neutrality and fear of escalation; give Ukraine all the needed weapons; forget about friendship or business with Russia.”

“Time to put an end to the evil everyone despised but was too afraid to tear down.”

Russian army helicopters open fire on Wagner convoy

12:09 , Sami Quadri

Russian army helicopters opened fire on a Wagner mercenary military convoy on the M4 highway outside the city of Voronezh on Saturday, a witness told Reuters.

UK government to hold emergency Cobra meeting over Russian rebellion

12:16 , Sami Quadri

The British government will hold an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the ongoing situation in Russia, according to BBC reporter Laura Kuenssberg.

Rishi Sunak said earlier on Saturday that he would speak with allies and urged all parties in the conflict in Russia to avoid harming civilians.

Pro-war nationalists in Russia say they will publish action plan to protect country

12:36 , Sami Quadri

Pro-war Russian nationalists led by a former FSB security service officer said on Saturday they will soon publish a plan of action to respond to an armed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group.

The Russian nationalist group, known as the “Club of Angry Patriots”, said in a statement that a civil war could lead to a humiliating military defeat for the Russian army in Ukraine and warned that Russia was on the brink of catastrophe.

Putin is working in the Kremlin

12:45 , Sami Quadri

President Vladimir Putin is working in the Kremlin complex in the centre of Moscow, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday.

Putin earlier vowed to crush an armed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group.

Qatar expresses concern about situation in Russia

12:54 , Sami Quadri

Qatar expressed its concerns over the situation in Russia on Saturday and called for “maximum restraint” from all parties, the foreign ministry statement said in a statement.

“The foreign ministry warns that escalation in Russia and Ukraine will have negative consequences for international peace and security and will impact food and energy supplies,” the statement added.

Footage appears to show explosion at an oil depot in Voronezh

13:00 , Sami Quadri

Wagner boss said his forces took army HQ without firing single shot

13:03 , Sami Quadri

Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said his troops did not fire a single shot when they took control of the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in Rostov.

In a new audio message released by his press service, he said his men had been fired on by artillery and helicopters en route to Rostov.

He said he thought he had the support of the Russian people for what he calls his “march of justice”.

Russian soldiers set up machine gun position on southwest edge of moscow

13:23 , Sami Quadri

Russian soldiers on Saturday set up a machine gun position on the southwest edge of Moscow, according to photographs published by the Vedomosti newspaper.

Photographs also showed armed police gathering at the point where the M4 highway - which Wagner forces are heading to - reaches the Russian capital.

We're seeing civil war in Russia, says Ukraine defence adviser

13:44 , Matt Watts

Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraine’s defence minister, has said: “What we’re seeing now in Russia is a civil war”.

Speaking to BBC World Service Newshour, Mr Sak said he believes events in Russia could be the start of something extremely significant. He says the Kremlin has been lying “for such a long time… about the losses of the Russian army” and that sooner or later the situation would “implode and lead to a civil war”.

He said just before Russia began its 2022 attack on Ukraine the world thought Russia had “the second most powerful army in the world”.

“Yesterday everybody knew that Russia was the second most powerful army in Ukraine and today we’re seeing how... the Russian army is becoming the second most powerful army in Russia.”

German foreign minister discusses Russia rebellion with G7 partners

14:05 , Matt Watts

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has spoken to her counterparts within the Group of Seven industrialised nations about developments in Russia, the foreign ministry in Berlin said on Saturday.

"Foreign Minister Baerbock has just discussed the situation with the foreign ministers of the G7," said a ministry spokesperson, adding that the German government's crisis team was also meeting.

Blinken says he spoke with G7 and EU ministers as Russia situation develops

14:42 , Sami Quadri

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he spoke with G7 foreign ministers and the EU high representative for foreign affairs after Wagner fighters took control of some military facilities in southern Russia.

“The United States will stay in close coordination with Allies and partners as the situation continues to develop,” Blinken wrote on Twitter.

Wagner mercenaries ‘enter Lipetsk'

14:50 , Sami Quadri

The governor of Russia's Lipetsk province says the Wagner mercenary group has entered the region.

Turkey backs Putin amid Wagner rebellion

14:54 , Sami Quadri

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Vladimir Putin he backs him amid the rebellion in a call between the two leaders, the Kremlin said in a statement.

Russian security officials find cash following raid on Prigozhin’s office

15:04 , Sami Quadri

Russia’s security service has raided a Wagner Group property in St Petersburg.

Unconfirmed Russian media reports say they found $47m (£37m) in cash in cardboard boxes near Yevgeny Prigozhin’s office.

The leader of the paramilitary group said the money was to cover salaries and other expenses for his Wagner fighters.

Rishi Sunak ‘in touch with allies about Russian rebellion’

15:07 , Sami Quadri

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he is in touch with allies about the armed rebellion led by the Wagner mercenary group in Russia, which UK defence officials have described as “the most significant challenge” to the Kremlin in recent times.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is understood to have chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee to discuss the developments.

“We're keeping a close eye on the situation, as it's evolving on the ground as we speak,” Mr Sunak told the BBC.

“The most important thing I'd say is for all parties to be responsible and to protect civilians, and that's about as much as I can say at this moment.”

Asked whether he had spoken to Mr Zelenksy, Mr Sunak said: “I'm in touch with our allies.

“I'll be speaking to some of them later today, as you would expect us to be co-ordinated on a situation like this, but it is evolving as we speak.”

Wagner fighters promised an amnesty if they disarm

15:20 , Sami Quadri

Wagner mercenaries have been promised an amnesty if they lay down their weapons but they need to act fast, the TASS news agency cited a lawmaker as saying on Saturday.

“Wagner fighters can still lay down their arms and avoid punishment given their achievements during the special military operation (in Ukraine), but they should do it fast,” lawmaker Pavel Krasheninnikov reportedly said.

Canada will continue to monitor situation in Russia closely, Trudeau says

15:41 , Sami Quadri

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday that Canada's incident response group will meet to discuss the latest developments in Russia as mutinous Russian mercenaries barrelled towards Moscow after seizing a southern city overnight.

“We’re in contact with our allies and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” Trudeau wrote on Twitter.

Russian government plane leaves Moscow and turns off tracking

15:48 , Sami Quadri

A Russian government plane has taken flight and switched off its responder around 20 minutes later at 11.39am, meaning it can no longer be tracked.

It is not known who is on board. Russian officials claimed earlier that Vladimir Putin is working in the Kremlin.

Pictured: Explosion at oil depot in Voronezh

16:01 , Sami Quadri

Russian foreign ministry warns Western countries against using Wagner mutiny to achieve ‘Russophobic goals’

16:03 , Sami Quadri

Russia's foreign ministry has issued a statement warning Western countries against using the Wagner mercenary group's mutiny “to achieve their Russophobic goals”.

Pictured: Military roadblocks in Moscow

16:15 , Sami Quadri

UK holds emergency meeting on Russian rebellion

16:18 , Sami Quadri

The British government's emergency committee, known as COBR, met on Saturday to discuss the latest developments in Russia and the risks to British citizens, a government spokesperson said.

“The Foreign Secretary has chaired a meeting of COBR to update on the latest situation, particularly with respect to British nationals in Russia,” a government spokesperson said.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also took part in a meeting with counterparts from the Group of Seven major advanced economies.

Moscow mayor says counter-terrorism regime has been declared in Russian capital

16:27 , Sami Quadri

Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said counter-terror measures have been declared in Moscow.

He warned people against travelling in the city and said Monday will be a non-working day to “minimise risks”.

What security measures have been introduced in Moscow?

17:08 , Miriam Burrell

• Moscow’s mayor has warned that traffic could be restricted in parts of Russia’s capital as part of heightened security measures

• Sergei Sobyanin asked the city’s residents to refrain from using their cars in Moscow and the surrounding region

• Monday will be a non-working day for most people, with the exception of public servants and some industrial enterprises workers

• All key city services have been put on high readiness and advised residents to report any emergencies

• Russian authorities have the right to restrict movement, monitor and restrict communications, search and evacuate people

Wagner rebellion presents unique opportunity for Ukraine, experts say

17:20 , Miriam Burrell

Lord Dannatt, former chief of the general staff of the UK army, said this “could well be the moment” for Ukraine to win the war.

Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Chatham House foreign policy think tank’s Ukraine Forum, said: “A Putin-Prigozhin war comes as perfect timing for Ukraine.”

James Nixey, director of the think tank’s Russia and Eurasia programme, added: “Ukraine will rightly capitalise. This will be a spur to its soldiers on the front line, looking to punch through.

“So far, Putin has not blamed this on Ukraine, although that may yet come.”

Read more from experts here.

Mass outdoor events in Moscow suspended

17:21 , Miriam Burrell

The governor of the Moscow region has suspended mass events outdoors and at educational institutions until July 1.

Joe Biden speaks with European allies

17:26 , Miriam Burrell

US President Joe Biden has spoken today with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about the situation in Russia, the White House has confirmed.

NATO on ‘high alert’ over nuclear plant

17:44 , Miriam Burrell

NATO is on high alert regarding the nuclear plant in Ukraine and “who is in control of that”, Former US ambassador to Nato Kay Bailey Hutchison has said.

She told Sky News: “From a Nato alliance standpoint, the focus now would also be on the nuclear plant, one is in Ukraine, and...nuclear armed missiles which could be in other places, [and] who is in control of that.

She said that “protecting all of us from nuclear destruction” was “first on agenda” for the international military alliance group.

Belarus president says Prigozhin has ‘agreed to de-escalate situation'

18:26 , Miriam Burrell

Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko has said Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has “agreed to de-escalate situation”.

Mr Lukashenko’s office has said Mr Prigozhin has agreed to stop movement of Wagner fighters around Russia, and that an agreement that would guarantee the safety of Wagner fighters is on the table.

Belarus says Mr Lukashenko, acting in agreement with President Putin, spoke to the Wagner chief.

Yevgeny Prigozhin ‘returning convoys to bases’

18:34 , Miriam Burrell

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has ordered his mercenaries to halt their march on Moscow to avoid shedding Russian blood, Reuters reports.

“To avoid bloodshed we are returning our convoys to bases,” Mr Prigozhin reportedly said in an audio message.

Zelensky says situation in Russia is ‘chaos'

18:37 , Miriam Burrell

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the situation in Russia “shows no one is in control, there is chaos”.

In his nightly addressed shared to Telegram, he said: “The longer your troops remain on Ukrainian land, the greater the devastation they will bring to Russia.”

Wagner fighters advanced to within 124 miles of Moscow

18:39 , Miriam Burrell

Yevgeny Prigozhin has said his fighters had advanced to within 200 km (124 miles) of Moscow in the last 24 hours.

What has Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said?

18:59 , Miriam Burrell

Russian mercenary fighters who surged most of the way to Moscow have agreed to turn back to avoid bloodshed, their leader said on Saturday.

Fighters of the Wagner private army run by former Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin were already most of the way to the capital, having captured the city of Rostov.

In an audio message, Mr Prigozhin said the fighters would return to base because of the risk of blood being spilled, Reuters reports.

A deal to halt further movement of Wagner fighters across Russia in return for guarantees of their safety was made by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, his office said.

Earlier, Mr Prigozhin said his men were on a “march for justice” to remove corrupt and incompetent Russian commanders he blames for botching the war in Ukraine.

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s audio message

19:51 , Miriam Burrell

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said in an audio message: “They wanted to disband the Wagner military company. We embarked on a march of justice on June 23.

In 24 hours we got to within 200 km of Moscow. In this time we did not spill a single drop of our fighters’ blood.

“Now the moment has come when blood could be spilled. Understanding ... that Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our columns around and going back to field camps as planned.”

Russia’s mercenary revolt: A timeline

20:16 , Miriam Burrell

Friday

• Yevgeny Prigozhin steps up his feud with Russia’s military top brass, saying the “evil” of Russia’s military leadership “must be stopped”

• Russia’s FSB security service responds by opening a criminal case against Mr Prigozhin, saying he has called for armed mutiny.

• The deputy commander of Russia’s Ukraine campaign, General Sergei Surovikin, urges the Wagner militia to give up their opposition to the military leadership

Saturday

• Wagner fighters enter the southern Russian city of Rostov

• Russian’s Defence Ministry issues a statement appealing to Wagner fighters to abandon Mr Prigozhin, saying they have been “deceived and dragged into a criminal adventure”

• Wagner fighters take control of all military facilities in the city of Voronezh

• Putin makes a televised address vowing to crush what he calls an armed mutiny

• Russian military helicopters open fire on a convoy of rebel mercenaries already more than half way towards Moscow in a lightning advance after seizing Rostov overnight

• The US, France, Germany and the UK hold talks and affirm their support for Ukraine.

• Putin signs a law permitting 30-day detentions for breaking martial law in places where it has been imposed, the RIA news agency reports

• The office of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says he has brokered a deal with Prigozhin who has agreed to de-escalate the situation

Wagner troops won’t face punishment, Kremlin says

21:00 , Miriam Burrell

Wagner troops won’t face punishment for rebellion as criminal case against their chief is closed, a Kremlin spokesman says.

Kremlin: Prigozhin will move to Belarus

21:02 , Miriam Burrell

Wagner mercenary force chief Yevgeny Prigozhin will move to Belarus under a deal made by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the Kremlin has said.

Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Mr Lukashenko had offered to mediate, with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s agreement, because he had known Prigozhin personally for around 20 years.

Pictured: Wagner troops leave Rostov

21:24 , Miriam Burrell

Wagner figthers are given a send-off as they vacate military HQ in Rostov-on-Don.

What have the Kremlin said?

21:27 , Miriam Burrell

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin will move to neighboring Belarus as part of a deal that defused rebellion tensions, the Kremlin have said.

The criminal case against him will be closed.

Mr Prigozhin’s troops who joined him in the uprising will not face prosecution and those who did not will be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

After the deal was reached, Mr Prigozhin said he was ordering his troops to halt their march on Moscow and retreat to field camps in Ukraine, where they have been fighting alongside Russian troops.

Live coverage ends

22:01 , Miriam Burrell

That’s all for our live coverage today.

The news team will be back in the morning.