2023-06-24 07:31:00
Vladimir Putin reacted to this announcement by addressing the Russian population live on television. He denounces a “stab in the back” and accuses Evguéni Prigojine of “treason”. He also criticizes the head of Wagner for having “excessive ambitions”.
Wagner’s rebellion is a “deadly threat” to the Russian state, he added. “The ‘traitors’ will be ‘punished’. And the Russian president adds that he will not ‘let’ a ‘civil war’ happen, calling for ‘unity’.
At the same time, while Wagner claims to have taken control of the Rostov headquarters, the “anti-terrorist operation regime” was established in Moscow and its region.
The measures put in place aim to strengthen the powers of the security services and enable them to restrict movements.
“Difficult” situation in Rostov
In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted that the situation was “difficult” in Rostov where the leader of the paramilitary group Wagner said he controlled military sites, including an airfield.
“Decisive steps will be taken to stabilize the situation in Rostov. It remains difficult,” Putin said in a video address to the nation, noting that the functioning “of civil and military administration bodies is de facto blocked.” in this city in the south of Russia where the Russian military headquarters of the offensive in Ukraine is located.
The Russian Ministry of Defense promised on Saturday to “guarantee the safety” of the fighters of the paramilitary group Wagner if they dissociate themselves from the “criminal adventure” of their boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who mutinied against the state- major.
“You have been tricked into participating in Prigojine’s criminal adventure,” the ministry said in a statement. “Get in touch with representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense and law enforcement agencies as soon as possible. We guarantee everyone’s safety,” he added, saying that “many” members of the Wagner group had already contacted him to ask to return to their barracks.
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