Russia-Ukraine updates: Russian missile strikes hit multiple Ukrainian cities

Dozens of injuries were reported in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Russia has continued a nearly 19-month-long invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Recently, though, the Ukrainians have gone on a counteroffensive, fighting to reclaim occupied territory.

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Prigozhin responds to Putin, says Wagner not going to surrender

The Wagner Group's Yevgeny Prigozhin responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's calling him a "traitor," by saying he will not surrender or turn back.

"Putin was deeply mistaken about the betrayal. We are patriots of our homeland, we fought and are fighting," Prighozin said in an audio message. "No one is going to turn around at the request of the president, the FSB or anyone else, because we do not want the country to live longer in corruption, deception and bureaucracy."

Prigozhin accused Russia's military of targeting a Wagner column with helicopters and jets.

-ABC News' Patrick Reevell


Chechen leader backs Putin, says forces moving into 'zones of tension'

The powerful head of Chechnya, the semi-independent Russian region, Ramzan Kadyrov, said on Saturday he supported President Vladimir Putin.

Kadyrov saiud he fully backs Putin and called Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's actions "treacherous."

Kadyrov has tens of thousands of heavily armed fighters. He said his forces are already moving to "zones of tension."

It raises prospect of Chechen forces fighting with Wagner Group troops.

Kadyrov has previously been friendly with Prigozhin -- his coming out in support of Putin is a boost for Putin, but also raises prospect of serious clashes in Russia.

-ABC News' Patrick Reevell


Next 48 hours 'will define' Russia, Zelenskyy advisor says

Russian leaders are "now choosing which side they are on," an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday.

"The next 48 hours will define the new status of Russia," Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter. "Either a full-fledged Civil War, or a negotiated Transit of Power, or a temporary respite before the next phase of the downfall of the Putin regime."

He added, "A deafening 'elite' silence is in Russia so far..."


Uprising 'significant challenge' to Russian state, UK says

Members of the mercenary Wagner Group have begun moving north "almost certainly aiming to get to Moscow," in what amounts to the "most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times," the U.K. Ministry of Defense said on Saturday.

"Over the coming hours, the loyalty of Russia's security forces, and especially the Russian National Guard, will be key to how the crisis plays out," the ministry said on Twitter.


Belarus was 'combat' ready during rebellion, president says

The military in Belarus was ordered to "full combat readiness" during the Wagner Group's rebellion in neighboring Russia, President Alexander Lukashenko said.

Lukashenko, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was said to have helped broker a deal to halt the choatic rebellion by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

"I will not hide, it was painful to watch the events that took place in the south of Russia," Lukashenko said Tuesday during brief remarks before a military presentation. "Not only me. Many of our citizens took them to heart. Because the fatherland is one."

The fatherland comment appeared to allude to Lukashenko's longstanding belief that Russia and Belarus share a special bond.

He added, "I gave all orders to bring the army to full combat readiness."

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule