International

BREAKING : Wagner fighters seize control of Russian military headquarters in Rostov

Published

3 years ago

June 24, 2023

BREAKING : Wagner fighters seize control of Russian military headquarters in Rostov

Fears of an attempted coup in Russia were growing on Saturday as troops from the Wagner militia stormed military and ministerial headquarters in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, led by the furious mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin set on revenge for Moscow killing some of his men.

Prigozhin issued a new message at about 7:30am Saturday Moscow time saying his men have infiltrated the Southern Defense Command in Rostov-on-Don and that the city’s airfield was under his control.

Residents have been told to stay in their homes by government officials, but some were seen out observing what was happening, even live-streaming the action on their cell phones.

Prigozhin, who was once a confidant of Vladimir Putin before declaring war on Moscow’s military leadership, said in a video that the highest ranking officer at the command post had fled as soon as he learned that Wagner forces were approaching.

‘We took it under control so that attack aircraft would not strike at us, but the Ukrainians. The main headquarters of the main control center is operating normally. There are no problems, not a single officer took away. So when they tell you that the Wagner PMC interfered, and something went wrong at the front [that’s wrong],’ Prigozhin said.

‘When we came here, we once again confirmed: a lot, a huge amount of territory was lost. Soldiers were killed three, four times more than reported to commanders. And what is reported is 10 times less than they say on TV. Losses per day amount to some days up to 1,000 people.’

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‘These are the dead missing, the wounded and the so-called refuseniks, who refuse not because they are afraid, but because they have no way out, no ammunition, no control. The Chief of the General Staff fled from here as soon as he learned that we were approaching the building,’ he concluded.

New photos showed Wagner fighters walking through the streets of Rostov-on-Don on Saturday morning, one picture featured a member flashing the v for victory sign.

Also, footage shared on social media showed troops outside the Southern Military Headquarters – which plays a crucial role in managing the Ukraine war – while more were seen less than half a mile encircling the Rostov office of the Interior Ministry.

Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Philadelphia-based Foreign Policy Research Institute who specializes in Russian defense, said: ‘The Telegram channel says there are soldiers in the building and there are up to 300 Wagner fighters in Rostov.’

Alexander Vindman, a Ukraine expert and former member of the National Security Council, tweeted: ‘Those are not Russian National Guard troops. That looks like Wagner troops entering the SMD HQ.’

But some said it was not clear that the forces on the streets were Wagner, and they may have been forces loyal to the Kremlin.

Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson said the Russian president had been informed of Prigozhin’s claims of a march on Moscow, and that ‘necessary measures are being taken.’

Putin has yet to be seen, or publicly comment on the uprising.

Prigozhin claimed to have also shot down a Russian military helicopter in the city – home to the Kremlin’s headquarters for the war in Ukraine – which ‘opened fire on a civilian column’.

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But there was no proof of his claim.

Prigozhin launched his extraordinary action after calling for the ousting of the Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and vowing to punish Russian military leaders – whom he accused of killing ‘hundreds’ of his mercenaries in an air strike.

The private army boss also claimed the Russian military leaders are lying to Putin and hiding the bodies of a further 2,000 soldiers to conceal losses in Ukraine.

As his Wagner forces closed in on Rostov on Friday night, 1,000 miles from Moscow, Prigozhin said they would take ‘all necessary steps’ to topple the country’s military leadership.

He declared: ‘We will destroy anyone who stands in our way… we are moving forward and will go until the end’.

Armored cars blockade a street in the city of Rostov as the sun began to rise on Saturday
Armored cars blockade a street in the city of Rostov as the sun began to rise on Saturday

Russia’s defense military in Moscow is pictured as dawn breaks on Saturday. Anti-aircraft artillery are pictured on the roof
Russia’s defense military in Moscow is pictured as dawn breaks on Saturday. Anti-aircraft artillery are pictured on the roof

In response, Russian military vehicles were seen on the streets of Moscow.

The FSB security services earlier said they had opened a criminal investigation into Prigozhin and called for his arrest, accusing him of inciting armed insurrection.

More details to follow….

BREAKING : Wagner fighters seize control of Russian military headquarters in Rostov

(DAILY MAIL)

International

Iran’s IRGC Threatens Google, Microsoft, Apple as ‘Legitimate Military Targets’

Published

9 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Iran’s IRGC Threatens Google, Microsoft, Apple as ‘Legitimate Military Targets’

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark warning to major US technology companies, declaring them legitimate military targets amid intensifying conflict in the Middle East.

The warning, carried by the IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency, named around 20 American and Western tech firms allegedly involved in intelligence, surveillance, and targeting operations. Companies highlighted include Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Boeing, HP, and Tesla. The IRGC claimed these firms play a central role in identifying and tracking targets through artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, and ICT systems, making their facilities subject to attack.

The statement warned that attacks could begin from 8 p.m. local time on Wednesday if Iran continues to experience what Tehran describes as “targeted assassinations” of its leaders and military personnel. Employees and civilians near company offices and data centres were urged to evacuate immediately.

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The threats follow a dramatic escalation in hostilities between Iran and Israel, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reporting more than 230 airstrikes in 24 hours, targeting Iranian military infrastructure. Tehran has accused Israel and the US of also hitting civilian and academic institutions, including Isfahan University of Technology and the Iran University of Science and Technology.

Analysts warn the IRGC’s threats signal a widening battlefield beyond traditional military targets, potentially including commercial tech infrastructure, cloud systems, and communications networks. Such attacks could disrupt internet connectivity, cloud services, financial systems, and regional communications across the Middle East and beyond.

While no confirmed large-scale attacks on these firms have occurred, the announcement raises concerns over the global implications of targeting technology infrastructure in modern conflicts. Experts say such threats highlight how digital and commercial assets are increasingly considered strategic military targets.

Tech companies named in the warning have largely refrained from commenting publicly but are reportedly reviewing security measures and contingency plans to protect staff and critical infrastructure in the region.

The IRGC’s declaration marks a new phase of geopolitical escalation, demonstrating the growing intersection of technology, military operations, and regional instability in the Middle East.

Iran’s IRGC Threatens Google, Microsoft, Apple as ‘Legitimate Military Targets’

International

Iran Announces ‘Bounty’ on US Pilots After Claiming Downing of Fighter Jet

Published

9 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran Announces ‘Bounty’ on US Pilots After Claiming Downing of Fighter Jet

Tensions in the Middle East have sharply intensified after Iran reportedly placed a bounty on US pilots following claims that it shot down a United States fighter jet over its territory.

Iranian state-linked media outlets said the aircraft was brought down during ongoing hostilities, with reports indicating that at least one pilot ejected before the jet crashed. Images circulating on Iranian platforms allegedly show wreckage of the US warplane, although independent analysts say the visuals remain inconclusive.

In a controversial move, a regional television station in Kohkilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province reportedly urged civilians to capture and hand over any American pilots alive in exchange for financial rewards—effectively declaring a “bounty” on US pilots.

However, the United States has not confirmed that any of its aircraft was downed, and no official statement has been issued by Washington regarding the claims. Past incidents have shown that similar announcements by Iranian media were later disputed or unverified, raising doubts about the latest development.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that US search-and-rescue operations may already be underway. Black Hawk helicopters were allegedly seen over Iranian airspace as part of efforts to locate two missing pilots, though this has not been independently confirmed.

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The situation comes amid a broader escalation in the region. Recent US airstrikes in Iran reportedly hit critical infrastructure, including a major bridge, leaving casualties and triggering further retaliation.

In response, Iran has intensified its military actions across the region. A fire outbreak at Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi refinery has been linked to Iranian operations, while Iranian drones were intercepted in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, Israel launched retaliatory strikes targeting key locations in Tehran and Isfahan.

Adding to the tension, US President Donald Trump issued a strong warning, stating that the United States “hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran” and threatening further strikes on strategic infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.

Despite these developments, the full details surrounding the alleged downing of the US jet and the fate of the pilots remain uncertain and unverified. Analysts warn that if confirmed, the incident could mark a major turning point in the conflict between both nations.

Iran Announces ‘Bounty’ on US Pilots After Claiming Downing of Fighter Jet

International

7‑Month‑Old Baby Killed in Brooklyn Stroller Shooting, Suspect in Custody

Published

17 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Trends Admin

7‑Month‑Old Baby Killed in Brooklyn Stroller Shooting, Suspect in Custody

Brooklyn — A 7‑month‑old baby girl was tragically shot and killed while sitting in her stroller in broad daylight in Brooklyn, New York, in what police believe was a gang-related shooting. The infant, identified as Kaori Patterson-Moore, was being pushed by her parents in the East Williamsburg neighbourhood when the shooting occurred around 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday near the intersection of Humboldt and Moore Streets.

According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), surveillance footage shows two men riding a moped against traffic when the passenger fired “at least two rounds” toward a street corner where several adults and children, including the baby, were present. The moped later crashed into a car, and the suspected shooter was taken into custody. Police are still searching for the second suspect, who remains at large, describing the ongoing investigation as a “massive manhunt.”

Kaori was hit by a stray bullet to the head and rushed to Woodhull Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her 2-year-old brother, also in the stroller, was grazed by a bullet but survived. Police say the baby was an unintended target, highlighting the tragic impact of gun violence on innocent civilians.

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Witnesses described the chaotic scene as Kaori’s parents ran into a nearby shop for cover. Only after reaching safety did they realize the baby had been hit. Footage shows Kaori’s mother visibly distressed, realizing her child had suffered fatal injuries. (abc7ny.com)

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the incident “unspeakable” and said investigators are pursuing all leads to locate the second suspect. Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the attack as a “devastating reminder” of the need to combat gun violence in New York City. (1011now.com)

One suspect, identified as 21-year-old Amare Green, was hospitalized after the moped crash and taken into custody, though his arrest was initially linked to an unrelated investigation. Formal charges for murder and attempted murder are expected. Police have released descriptions of the second suspect and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Kaori’s mother, Lianna Charles-Moore, tearfully recounted her grief, saying she will never again hold, feed, or care for her daughter. Community members, along with city officials, have expressed condolences and emphasised the urgent need for stronger measures to reduce gun violence. (abc7chicago.com)

7‑Month‑Old Baby Killed in Brooklyn Stroller Shooting, Suspect in Custody