- Russian President Vladimir Putin says, in a televised address, an armed mutiny by the Wagner Group is treason and “decisive action” will be taken against them.
- Earlier Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin announced his men will travel to Moscow unless the Russian defence minister and top general come to the city of Rostov-on-Don, which the mercenary group claim to have taken control of.
Full Text Transcript of Vladimir Putin's Address to the Nation On the Situation as the authorities in Moscow declared a “counterterrorism” state of emergency:
I am appealing to the citizens of Russia, to the personnel of the Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies and special services, to the fighters and commanders who are now fighting on their battle positions, repelling enemy attacks, doing this heroically - I know, I spoke again last night with the commanders of all directions.
I appeal to those who were deceived or threatened into a criminal venture, pushed onto the path of a serious crime - armed mutiny.
Today Russia is waging a hard fight for its future, repelling the aggression of neo-Nazis and their masters. Virtually the entire military, economic and information machine of the West is directed against us. We are fighting for the life and safety of our people, for our sovereignty and independence. For the right to be and remain Russia - a state with a thousand-year history.
This battle, when the fate of our people is being decided, requires the unification of all forces, unity, consolidation and responsibility. When everything that weakens us must be thrown aside, any strife that our external enemies can and use to undermine us from within.
And therefore, actions that split our unity - are, in essence, defection from your people, from your comrades who are now fighting at the front. It's a stab in the back of our country and our people.
This is exactly the kind of blow that was dealt to Russia in 1917, when the country was fighting the First World War. But her victory was stolen. Intrigues, quarrels, politicking behind the back of the army and the people turned into the greatest upheaval, the destruction of the army and the collapse of the state, the loss of vast territories. In the end was the tragedy of the civil war.
Russians killed Russians, brothers - brothers, and the greedy profit was extracted by various political adventurers and foreign forces, which divided the country, tore it to pieces.
We will not let this happen again. We will protect both our people and our statehood from any threats. Including - from internal betrayal.
What we are facing is precisely betrayal. Exorbitant ambitions and personal interests have led to treason. To treason against their country, their people, and the cause for which, side by side with our other units and subdivisions, the fighters and commanders of the Wagner Group fought and died.
Heroes who liberated Soledar and Artemovsk, cities and settlements of Donbass, fought and gave their lives for Novorossiya, for the unity of the Russian world. Their name and glory were also betrayed by those who are trying to organize a rebellion, pushing the country towards anarchy and fratricide. Towards defeat, ultimately, and capitulation.
I repeat, any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood, to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia, to our people. And our actions to protect the Motherland from such a threat will be harsh. Everyone who deliberately embarked on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed rebellion, embarked on a path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer the inevitable punishment, they will answer both before the law and before our people.
The Armed Forces and other state bodies have received the necessary orders, additional anti-terrorist measures are now being introduced in Moscow, the Moscow region, and a number of other regions. Decisive actions will also be taken to stabilize the situation in Rostov-on-Don. It remains complicated, the work of civil and military administration is practically blocked.
As the President of Russia and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, as a citizen of Russia, I will do everything to defend the country, protect the constitutional order, the lives, safety and freedom of citizens.
Those who organized and prepared the military rebellion, who took up arms against their comrades - betrayed Russia. And they will answer for it. And those who are being drawn into this crime, I urge not to make a fatal and tragic, irrevocable mistake, to make the only correct choice - to stop participating in criminal actions.
I believe that we will preserve and defend what is dear and sacred to us, and together with our Motherland we will overcome any trials, become even stronger.
