Mutinous Russian mercenary fighters from the Wagner Group were making their way to the capital before their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered their to return to base to avoid bloodshed.

In a video that he posted on June 23, Prigozhin escalated his conflict with the military’s senior brass in Russia and, for the first time, rejecting Putin’s primary pretext for invading Ukraine.

Prigozhin claimed in a series of subsequent audio recordings published on Telegram that the “evil” of the Russian military’s leadership “must be stopped” and that his Wagner mercenary group would lead a “march for justice” against the Russian military.

The FSB security service in Russia replied by filing a criminal complaint against Prigozhin after learning that the 62-year-old had called for an armed uprising against the government.

In the early hours of June 24, Wagner fighters invaded Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia, according to a Telegram audio recording by Prigozhin.

Prigozhin claims to have the backing of the residents and said his fighters took the army headquarters in Rostov-on-Don “without firing a single shot.”

In a statement, the Russian defense ministry tells Wagner warriors that they have been “deceived and dragged into a criminal adventure” and urges them to leave Prigozhin.

In a televised speech, Putin pledges to put an end to a “armed mutiny”. He charges “treason” and a “stab in the back” on Prigozhin.

In a rapid assault after conquering Rostov overnight, Russian military helicopters begin fire on a column of rebel mercenaries who are now more than halfway to Moscow.

The head of Chechnya and Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov says his troops are prepared to assist in quelling the Prigozhin uprising and employ harsh measures if required.

A agreement with Prigozhin was reportedly arranged later in the day, according to the office of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has promised to defuse the situation.

The military command center of Russia is located in Rostov-on-Don; Prigozhin and all of his fighters leave.

Prigozhin will now relocate to Belarus and face no legal repercussions. Wagner fighters who opted out of the march on Moscow will be given military employment opportunities.