Moscow mayor declares Monday off due to advancing Wagner forces in Russia coup.

The Mayor of Moscow Declares Non-Work Day as Wagner Mercenaries Approach

The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, has made an urgent announcement, declaring Monday to be a non-work day and advising residents to stay home. This comes as Wagner mercenaries draw near to the capital city, sparking a revolt against the Russian military.

Mayor Sobyanin issued the directive on Saturday, urging residents not to venture out and canceling work for most individuals, excluding those in public service and select industrial enterprises. In response to the escalating situation, Russian officials have set up security checkpoints throughout the city, and military trucks and armored vehicles have been spotted patrolling the streets in preparation for potential aggression.

Russian General Urges Wagner Group to Stand Down

The heightened state of readiness is a direct response to the actions of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenaries. Prigozhin led his troops out of Ukraine and into a crucial city south of Moscow on Friday, posing the most significant threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s leadership in over two decades. The revolt was triggered by Prigozhin’s accusation that the Russian military had killed a substantial number of his men, vowing to “destroy” any resistance to their group.

The mercenaries initially marched to Rostov-on-Don, with Prigozhin releasing a video stating that they would blockade the area until Russia’s top military generals met with them. Since then, the Wagner mercenaries have continued their advance into Russian territory, marching towards Moscow. In response, Russian military forces have reportedly opened fire on the group, as Putin has pledged to crush any rebellious mutiny against the Kremlin.

The duration of this standoff remains uncertain, but the ongoing revolt undoubtedly weakens Putin’s grip on the country, providing a significant advantage to Ukrainian military officials as they strive to fend off a potential Russian invasion.

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Putin Draws Parallels to Russia’s Civil War

Putin has drawn parallels between the current revolt and Russia’s own civil war in 1917, which erupted after the Bolsheviks overthrew Tsar Nicholas II during World War I. This attack ignited a war within the country and ultimately led to the formation of the Soviet Union.

“This was the same kind of blow that Russia felt in 1917 when the country entered World War I but had victory stolen from it,” Putin remarked. “Intrigues, squabbles, and politicking behind the backs of the army and the people turned out to be the greatest shock, resulting in the destruction of the army, the collapse of the state, the loss of vast territories, and ultimately, the tragedy of civil war. Russians killed Russians, brothers killed brothers.”

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