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Rabat – This afternoon Moroccan students in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, became witnesses to the infighting between Russian forces and Wagner Group mercenaries. As reporters of online conflict-reporting channel Noel Reports ran from a loud explosion in Rostov, they caught two Moroccan students on camera who expressed their shock at being caught up in the sudden fighting.
Two Moroccan students flee after a loud explosion in Rostov. Source: Twitter / NoelReports
Moroccan students caught in the cross-fire
While the war-reporter is seen running away following a loud explosion at the military district, a voice is heard saying “we are very scared.” As the camera and reporter pan towards the voice, two young Moroccans appeared in frame, clearly shocked by the sudden eruption of military conflict in the Rostov region.
A loud explosion occured near the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don. pic.twitter.com/VYj0BO3YPR
— NOELREPORTS (@NOELreports) June 24, 2023
“It’s very strange, the first time I see these things,” the male students told the reporter. “We don’t know what is happening, we are very scared,” the young Moroccan woman added. The two confirmed that they study in Rostov, before ending the brief interview with a friendly smile.
It is currently unknown how many other Moroccan students are currently in Rostov. The city hosts the Rostov State Medical University, the largest training and research center in the south of Russia. The Russian Federation granted 100 scholarships to Moroccan students for the 2023-2024 academic year, yet other Moroccan students similarly study in Russia without a scholarship.
Intra-Russian fighting
Fighting has erupted near Russia’s primary military headquarters covering the Ukraine war, located in Rostov-on-Don, across the border from Russia-occupied Eastern Ukraine. After months of public disputes between the leadership of Russian private military contractor Wagner Group and the Russian government, the mercenary group overnight took over Russia’s main headquarters, which prompted a violent response this afternoon.
It appears that the takeover of Russia’s Southern Military District by the Wagner Group has resulted in a rapid response from the Russian military which launched attacks using KA-52 attack helicopters, which in turn faced Wagner’s 9K35 Anti-air batteries, according to local reports.
Meanwhile, troops and vehicles of the Wagner Group have been seen advancing on Moscow, where they claim to target the Russian defense ministry, being careful to avoid laying blame on the Russian presidency.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced Wagner’s actions as an “armed mutiny” and has vowed to punish the mercenary insurrection. Mercenary forces advancing on the capital have been met with fire from Russian attack helicopters, a response similar to that witnessed in Rostov.
