Prigozhin challenge to Putin is ‘biggest threat to Russian state in recent times’, says UK Government

Troops from the private mercenary group Wagner are “almost certainly aiming to get to Moscow”, the UK Government has said, posing the “biggest threat to the Russian state in recent times”.

In the early hours of this morning, a long-standing feud between Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russian army dramatically escalated when Wagner troops crossed from Ukraine, where they have been fighting, into Russia.

They have entered at least two parts of Russia, including Rostov-on-Don, which is where the Russian HQ is understood to run its Ukraine operations from. The UK’s Ministry of Defence said that Wagner troops were also moving north and “almost certainly aiming to get to Moscow”.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence suggested some Russian army forces could be laying down their arms and conceding to Wagner.

“With very little evidence of fighting between Wagner and Russian security forces, some have likely remained passive, acquiescing to Wagner,” the MoD said in a statement.

“Over the coming hours, the loyalty of Russia’s security forces and especially the Russian National Guard will be key to how the crisis plays out. This represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times.”

This story is being updated.