Russia Ukraine live updates: Putin calls Wagner mutiny ‘treason’ and ‘mortal blow’ to troops

British foreign minister James Cleverly said on Saturday that the United Kingdom was closely monitoring the situation in Russia and was in touch with allies.

“Following events overnight involving the Wagner group and the Russian military, we are monitoring the situation carefully and liaising closely with our allies,” Cleverly said.

British citizens should continue to follow government advice not to travel to Russia, he added.

Mutinous Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Saturday that he and his men would not turn themselves in on the orders of President Vladimir Putin.

Russian police have surrounded the Wagner centre in St Petersburg after Yevgeny Prigozhin called on an armed rebellion against the Kremlin.

Watch the full clip here:

Rogue Russian mercenary fighters from the Wagner group have had their efforts labelled as “treason” by Vladimir Putin after seizing military centre Rostov-on-Don.

The escalation marks one of the most explosive episodes in the country’s war saga yet after the group’s leader Yevgeny Prigozhin accused the Kremlin of deliberately bombing Wagner troops.

However, Britain’s Ministry of Defence have now called the instalment “the most significant challenge to the Russian state” in a series of events that’s set to put the city firmly on the map.

Following are reactions from foreign governments to the news from Russia, where President Vladimir Putin vowed on Saturday to crush what he called an armed mutiny after rebellious mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said he had taken control of a southern city.

In an update of advice to travellers that continued to advise against all travel to Russia, the ministry said.

“There are reports of military tensions in the Rostov region and a risk of further unrest across the country. Additionally, there is a lack of available flight options to return to the UK.”

“In connection with the situation in Russia, this morning we held consultations with the prime minister and the ministry of defence, as well as with allies.

“The course of events beyond our eastern border is monitored on an ongoing basis.”

The Elysee Palace said President Emmanuel Macron is following the situation in Russia closely.

“We stay focused on the support to Ukraine,” the Elysee said.

GERMAN GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

“We are monitoring events in Russia closely.”

“Prime Minister Meloni is closely following events in Russia, which show that its assault on Ukraine is causing instability within Russia.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday briefed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on the situation in Russia, according to a message posted on the Belarusian presidency’s official Telegram channel.

Putin has vowed to crush what he calls an armed mutiny after rebellious mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said he had taken control of a southern city as part of an attempt to oust the military leadership.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Saturday called on Russians to rally around Russian President Vladimir Putin, after what Putin called an “armed mutiny” by the Wagner mercenary group

The owner of the Wagner private military contractor who called for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russia’s defence minister claimed in a video that he and his troops have taken control of the military command centre in Rostov-on-Don.

He claimed that his forces had military facilities in the city under their control, including the airfield.

Footage from a media outlet aligned with the contractor showed its chief speaking with Russian military officials and reiterating his aim of removing defence minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of general staff Valery Gerasimov.

Here is the latest defence intelligence update from the UK ministry of defence: