Vladimir Putin Warns of "Toughest Battle for its Future" as Armed Rebellion Led by Wagner Mercenary Group Looms
Key Highlights :
The recent armed rebellion led by the Wagner mercenary group has been deemed “the most significant challenge to the Russian state” and Vladimir Putin in recent times, according to UK defence officials. In response to this threat, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the rebellion a “betrayal” and has promised to “defend the people” and Russia.
The rebellion was led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner private military company, who claimed his forces now control military facilities in the key Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. In a series of video and audio recordings posted on social media, Prigozhin threatened to “destroy anyone who stands in our way” and promised to “go until the end.”
In response, Mr Putin addressed the nation on Saturday morning and warned that the mutiny amounted to “a deadly threat to our statehood” and vowed “tough actions” in response. He urged “those who are being dragged into this crime not to make a fatal and tragic, unique mistake, to make the only right choice – to stop participating in criminal acts”.
The Russian president also called the rebellion a “blow to Russia, to its people”, and declared that “those who plotted and organised an armed rebellion, who raised arms against his comrades-in-arms, betrayed Russia. And they will answer for it.” He went on to say that this battle for Russia’s future “requires the unification of all forces, unity, consolidation and responsibility.”
In response to the rebellion, Russia’s security services have called for Prigozhin’s arrest and security has been heightened in Moscow, Rostov-on-Don and other regions. It is not yet clear how Prigozhin was able to enter the southern Russian city or how many troops he had with him.
The armed rebellion led by the Wagner mercenary group has been deemed a serious threat to the Russian state and its people, and Vladimir Putin has called it a “betrayal” and a “treason”. In response, he has vowed to take “tough actions” and has urged those involved to stop participating in criminal acts. Russia’s security services have called for Prigozhin’s arrest and security has been heightened in Moscow, Rostov-on-Don and other regions. It remains to be seen what the outcome of this rebellion will be, but it is clear that the Russian state is facing one of the toughest battles for its future in recent times.
