Wagner boss makes tough statement after being accused by Russia of rebellion.

"We are all ready to die. All 25,000 of us, then another 25,000. We are dying for the Russian people," Prigozhin said in a newly recorded message, according to AFP.

Earlier in the day, Mr Prigozhin said his forces had reached Rostov province, the headquarters of Russia's southern military region tasked with monitoring the conflict in Ukraine, without encountering any resistance.

Videos posted on Telegram channels in the city of Rostov-on-Don in Rostov Oblast today showed armed men in uniform surrounding the city's regional police headquarters, Reuters reported. It was not immediately clear who the armed men were.

Prigozhin's comments came after Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee ordered him to stop his illegal actions and said the Federal Security Service (FSB) had launched an investigation into possible sedition in connection with his recent statements. Prosecutors said Prigozhin could face between 12 and 20 years in prison, according to TASS.

Mr. Yevgeny Prigozhin in Moscow, Russia, April 8.

Prigozhin has previously made a series of statements that have been interpreted as inciting rebellion against the Russian Defense Ministry , which he said was trying to destroy his forces. On June 23, he accused the Chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, of sending fighter jets to attack Wagner convoys that were traveling alongside conventional vehicles.

Mr Prigozhin also said Wagner camps in Ukraine had been attacked with rockets, helicopters and artillery fire on Mr Gerasimov’s orders after a meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Mr Prigozhin said his forces would “punish” Mr Shoigu in an armed rebellion and called on the military not to resist.

Russian Defense Ministry Accuses Wagner Leader of Rebellion, Russian Security Opens Investigation

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that reports circulating on social media accusing the Russian Armed Forces of carrying out an attack on "Wagner's strongholds in the rear" were false.

After Mr. Prigozhin made the above statement, authorities in southern regions of Russia said measures were being taken to ensure public safety, according to Reuters.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin also said today that anti-terrorism measures are being taken in the Russian capital, including additional checks on roads, to increase security.

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