Wagner chief turns troops back from Moscow ‘to avoid bloodshed’ in Russian city

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has turned his troops back from Moscow to “avoid bloodshed” in the Russian city. In an audio message, the mercenary group leader said his soldiers would return to their bases, in a dramatic U-turn just hours before they were expected to reach the city. He said he gave the order to turn back from their advance on Moscow “because of the risk of blood being spilled”. The announcement appeared to defuse a growing crisis as Moscow braced for the arrival of the private army led by the rebellious commander. It comes as President Vladimir Putin had vowed he would face harsh consequences for what he described as a mutinous assault on Russia. Mr Prigozhin said his men were just 120 miles from Moscow but he had decided to turn them back to avoid “shedding Russian blood”. He did not say if the Kremlin has responded to his demand to oust defence minister Sergei Shoigu. The announcement follows a statement from the office of Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko saying that he had negotiated a deal with Mr Prigozhin after previously discussing the issue with Mr Putin. Mr Prigozhin has accepted Mr Lukashenko’s offer to halt the Wagner group’s advance and further steps to de-escalate the tensions, Mr Lukashenko’s office said, adding that the proposed settlement contains security guarantees for Wagner troops. More follows... Read More Russia-Ukraine war live: Wagner boss turns troops back from Moscow as Kremlin denies Putin has fled Moscow tells residents ‘stay at home’ as Wagner rebels edge closer to Russian city Kremlin denies Putin has fled Moscow as Russia president’s plane ‘disappears’ Mapped: Inside Russian Wagner group’s location and road towards Moscow