Russian Wagner mercenaries were "moving across" the Lipetsk region some 400 kilometres (250 miles) south of Moscow, the governor said Saturday, en route to Moscow after vowing to overthrow Russia's military leadership.
Their chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has vowed to make it to Moscow, after moving his men from occupied Ukraine into Russia overnight and launching armed insurrection against Russia's top brass.
Wagner mercenaries have occupied an army HQ in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and were reportedly in the Voronezh region.
But the Lipetsk region is so far the closest location to Moscow where Wagner columns have been spotted.
"Hardware of the Wagner mercenary group is moving across the territory of the Lipetsk region," Governor Igor Artamonov said on Telegram.
"I remind you that residents are strongly recommended not to leave their houses or to make trips on any mode of transport."
He did not say exactly where in the region the Wagner fighters were seen.