‘You’ve Betrayed Russia’ — Putin Vows ‘Decisive’ Punishment After Wagner Triggers Military Crisis

Eko Hot Blog reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has fiercely condemned an “armed mutiny” by the Wagner Group mercenary force as treason.

He also threatened punishment of anyone who had taken up arms against the Russian military.

The Russian leader spoke during an emergency televised address on Saturday after Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed his forces were in control of military sites in Rostov, a southern city.

He accused Russia’s top military leadership of ordering a rocket attack on Wagner’s field camps in Ukraine, where “huge numbers” of his fighters had been killed.

Russia’s FSB security service has opened a criminal case against Prigozhin, who is seeking the ouster of military leaders, for the armed mutiny, state-owned TASS news agency reported.

Putin said he would do everything to protect Russia, and that “decisive action” would be taken to stabilise the situation in Rostov.

“By taking Rostov military headquarters, this is the command centre that is in charge of what Russia calls the special operation in Ukraine, the Wagner chief is currently in charge of the war in Ukraine. This is very big,” Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem, says of the Rostov military facility.

The authorities in Moscow and the surrounding area say they have declared a “counterterrorism” state of emergency after Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed his forces were in control of military sites in Rostov.

The Russian president urged those called to participate in the “mutiny” not to make “this crucial, tragic, unrepeatable mistake” by halting all “criminal actions.”

“Any internal mutiny is a deadly threat to our state, to us as a nation. It’s a strike against our nation, our people. And our actions to defend the fatherland from such a threat will be brutal,” Putin said Saturday morning.

“Anyone who consciously went on the path of betrayal, who prepared the armed mutiny, went on the path of blackmail and terrorist actions, will take an inevitable punishment.

“They will answer to the law and our people. The Armed Forces and other departments were properly instructed. Extra anti-terrorist measures are now being implemented in Moscow, Moscow region, and a number of other regions.

“Decisive actions will be taken to stabilise the situation in Rostov-on-Don. It remains difficult. The operation of civilian and military control departments is practically blocked.

“As a President of Russia and the Supreme Commander, as a citizen of Russia, I will do everything to defend the country, protect the Constitution, lives and safety, liberty of the citizens.

“Those who prepared the military mutiny, who raise weapons against combat brothers, have betrayed Russia, and will pay for this. And those who are being pulled into the crime, I’m asking to not make this crucial, tragic, unrepeatable mistake. Do the one right choice – stop participating in criminal actions.”