Russia steps up security as Wagner chief says his forces have taken Rostov

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company (Prigozhin Press Service via AP, File/AP)

Security has been heightened in Moscow and the key strategic city of Rostov-on-Don after the owner of a private military contractor stepped up his direct challenge to the Kremlin.

Yevgeny Progozhin, who owns the private Wagner force, said his forces have reached Rostov – the southern base for Russia’s military.