Other sources indicate that the mercenaries are currently in the village of Krasnoye, roughly 40 kilometers from Yelets. It is estimated that the mercenaries may reach Moscow on Saturday, around 7 pm local time (6 pm in Poland), independent Russian portal Vazhnye Istorii reported.
Initial reports from Yelets were first shared by the Rybar channel on Telegram, while independent portal Meduza provided information about the presence of Wagner mercs in the village of Krasnoye near Yelets. The Rybar channel reported varying figures regarding the number of vehicles and individuals in the columns, with estimates ranging from 150 to 400 units.
The distance between Yelets and Moscow is approximately 340 kilometers in a straight line. Key checkpoints and force service positions are located at the bridge over the Oka River and along the M4 route leading to the capital.
The Rybar channel also noted that the mercenaries avoided entering Voronezh, instead taking a route around the city. In Rostov-on-Don, the mercenaries blocked the entrance from Taganrog.
According to the Viorstka portal, police have blocked exit roads from the town of Yefremov in the neighboring Tula region, which, like Yelets, lies along the M4 route leading to Moscow. It is approximately 320 kilometers from Yefremov to the capital. The mercenaries are reportedly attempting to bypass the M4 route by utilizing regional and local roads, moving forward in several waves.
In the latest development, the Visegrad24 portal reported that the Wagner Group mercenaries heading towards Moscow have successfully breached the initial barricades. A video posted on Twitter by the portal showed destroyed blockades and vehicles passing through them.
On Friday, the head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, stated that regular Russian army troops had attacked a Wagner camp, resulting in numerous casualties. Prigozhin said he will "restore justice" within the armed forces. In a public address, Putin slammed the mercenaries as "traitors" and assured that they would be held accountable under the law.
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Source: PAP