The recent events leading to the blockage of Google News have their roots in Wagner Group mercenaries crossing the border from Ukraine into Rostov-on-Don. The city, which hosts Russia’s southern military headquarters and is situated near the Sea of Azov, was allegedly taken by the Wagner forces with little resistance from the regular army. Reports suggest that the Wagner forces are now advancing north toward Moscow. Prigozhin, who is not only the leader of the Wagner Group but also the funder and creator of the Internet Research Agency, known for its involvement in Russia’s 2016 US election interference campaign, has vowed to topple Russia’s Defense Ministry in response to a claimed missile attack by the regular army against Wagner personnel in Ukraine.
