As Wagner advances, Moscow mayor declares Monday as 'non-working' day
Wagner chief vowed to overthrow Moscow military leadership as he accused the Russian top brass of launching missile strikes against the group's forces.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Saturday warned the situation in the capital was "difficult," as forces of the Wagner mercenary group moved towards Moscow to oust Russia's military leadership.
"The situation is difficult. I ask you to refrain from travelling around the city as much as possible," Sobyanin said in a statement, warning of possible road closures and announcing Monday was a "non-working" day.
The governor of the Moscow region has also suspended mass events outdoors and at educational institutions until July 1.
Also Read: Explained: Wagner Group coup against Putin, Russian military leadership
Gov. Andrei Vorobyov issued a decree with the bans on Saturday as the chief of private Russian military company Wagner said his mercenaries were heading to Moscow in an armed rebellion against Russia's defense minister.
The governor's decree doesn't apply to the city itself but the surrounding areas. However, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin warned that traffic could be restricted in parts of the capital as part of the counter-terrorism operation prompted by the rebellion.
The counter-terrorism operation allows authorities to tighten security, impose curbs on traffic and communications, and to conduct searches without warrants. There was no immediate word of whether a curfew would be posed.
The mayor also declared Monday a non-working day for most people, with the exception of public servants and employees of some industrial enterprises.
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