Chaos turned cautious calm in Rostov-on-Don as Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin abruptly called off a short-lived rebellion by his mercenary forces. The group had seized military sites in the southern Russian city, sparking fears of escalating conflict. But by Saturday night, regional governor Vasily Golubev confirmed Wagner troops had withdrawn to their field camps, leaving residents breathing a sigh of relief—and scrambling for essentials.
A CGTN Stringer on the ground captured scenes of vehicles lining up at gas stations 🚗⛽, drivers prepping to flee once restrictions lifted. Supermarkets saw similar queues as locals stocked up on bread, water, and canned goods 🥫. \"We just want life to go back to normal,\" one resident told reporters, echoing the mood of a city caught in a geopolitical whirlwind.
While tensions eased, the brief upheaval highlights deepening fractures within Russia’s power structures. Analysts say the incident—though resolved—could ripple through global markets and diplomacy. For now, Rostov’s streets are quiet. But as one Twitter user quipped, 'In Russia, even the rebellions come with a pause button.' 🔄🇷🇺
