Russian President Vladimir Putin says the threats of a military face-off from Wagner Group, a militia in the country, will be decisively dealt with.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the mercenary group, mobilised his troops against the country’s military on Friday.
This was after he accused the army of a rocket attack which allegedly killed many of his men.
Before the rebellion, Prigozhin’s men had been fighting alongside the Russian troops in Ukraine since the outbreak of the war between the two east Europe nations last year’s February.
But Prigozhin said his fighters had crossed the border from Ukraine into Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city, and would destroy anyone in their way, including roadblocks and aircraft.
He promised to take revenge and “stop the evil brought by the military leadership of the country”.
He implored those seeking change to join his quest for justice, clarifying that the rebellion was not a military coup.
Speaking during an emergency televised address on Saturday, Putin said anyone involved in the “armed mutiny” would face consequences as enemies of the state.
Putin said he would do everything to protect Russia, and that “all relevant orders have been given to the Russian military” to deal with the situation.
He added that “decisive action” would be taken to stabilise the situation in Rostov-on-Don where the Wagner chief said his forces had taken control of all military installations.
Putin said some Russians had been “tricked into the criminal adventure”, describing the rebellion as “high treason”.
“This internal mutiny is a mortal blow to us,” Putin said, adding that the situation is a “stab in the back on our troops and the people of Russia”.
Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said the development in Russia has “already led to the capture of Rostov, a number of federal highways, the headquarters of the Southern District and #СВO”
Discussion about this post