Russian An-24 shot down in Voronezh Oblast
An-24 (Photo:Wikipedia)
During armed clashes between Wagner PMC and the Russian Defense Ministry in Voronezh Oblast, a Russian An-24 aircraft was shot down, the Baza Telegram channel reported on June 24.
The plane was reportedly downed near the village of Kantemirovka.
According to preliminary data, three people may have been killed.
Wagner PMC's rebellion against the Russian Defense Ministry – what is known
Wagner mercenary company leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said on June 23 that units of the Russian Defense Ministry had launched a missile attack on one of his mercenaries’ camps, killing a large number of his fighters.
He also said that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had allegedly fled Rostov.
In another address, Prigozhin announced the beginning of an armed conflict with the Russian Defense Ministry and called on Russians not to resist. The Federal Security Service or FSB said it had opened a criminal case against Prigozhin.
Russian media reported that Prigozhin said he intended to remove the leadership of the Defense Ministry, and Russian security forces were put on high alert. Weapons were issued to conscripts, and military equipment appeared on the streets.
Meanwhile, Prigozhin claimed his mercenaries had shot down a Russian helicopter that was allegedly attempting to fire at them.
Several videos of military columns reaching the center of Rostov-on-Don and surrounding a Russian Defense Ministry building were posted online.
There is currently no confirmation whether the military and equipment belong to Wagner PMC or to the regular Russian army.
The United States said it was monitoring the uprising and considered it "serious."
Prigozhin said that he had taken control of military facilities in Russia's Rostov-on-Don, including the headquarters of the Southern Military District and a military airfield.
Meanwhile, an anti-terrorist regime has been introduced in the Russian capital. The Mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin, told Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti that "anti-terrorist measures" are being carried out in the city, including setting up checkpoints on the roads.
Russian milbloggers claim that Russian aviation has been striking the M-4 highway, which is used by Wagner PMC fighters. This highway connects Rostov, Voronezh and Moscow.
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