Moments after Vladimir Putin vowed to crush the armed rebellion by Wagner mercenaries, the group reportedly said that the Russian President made the wrong choice during his speech and that the country will soon have a new premier. The mercenaries, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, have claimed control of two Russian cities as part of their attempt to oust the military leadership. Wagner claimed that the group has downed three Russian helicopters and has faced little resistance from the National Guard.
In an address to the nation, a visibly miffed Putin said that the armed mutiny by Wagner mercenaries was a “stab in the back” and that the group’s chief Prigozhin had “betrayed” Russia. “This is a stab in the back to our country, to our nation,” Putin said in an address to the nation. “What we have been faced with is exactly betrayal. Extravagant ambitions and personal interests led to treason,” Putin said referring to Prigozhin. “All those who consciously stood on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed rebellion, stood on the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment, before the law and before our people,” he added.
Putin condemned the rebellion at a time when Russia was “fighting the toughest battle for its future” with its war in Ukraine. “The entire military, economic and information machine of the West is waged against us,” Putin said.
“This battle, when the fate of our people is being decided, requires the unification of all forces, unity, consolidation and responsibility.” An armed rebellion at a time like this is “a blow to Russia, to its people,” the president said. “Those who plotted and organised an armed rebellion, who raised arms against his comrades-in-arms, betrayed Russia. And they will answer for it,” Putin said.
