Putin: army ordered to neutralize rebellion organizers

The armed forces of the Russian Federation have received the necessary order to neutralize those who masterminded mutiny.

That’s according to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, who released an emergency address to the nation in relation to the rebellion staged by the Wagner Group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, TASS reports.

Putin called the armed rebellion "a blow to the back of the country and its people," labeling the move as apostasy.

"They are trying to push Russia to defeat and capitulation through mutiny. Actions against the rebels will be harsh... Russia will react to treason in a harsh way. The mutineers will suffer inevitable punishment," he said.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin vowed revenge in a public statement released on Friday after the Russian army’s regular troops, subordinate to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, had allegedly attacked a Wagner base. The Russian defense ministry has denied the allegations.

The Russian FSB launched a criminal case over Yevgeny Prigozhin’s calls for “armed rebellion.”

Later, the Kremlin said Putin was aware of the developments and that "all necessary measures" were being taken.

A number of Russia's top-ranking generals publicly addressed the Wagner Group mercenaries and their commanders, calling for a "peaceful" dialogue to resolve all issues between the Group and the Army command.

Across Russian Telegram channels, videos are circulating of the purported capture by the Wagner mercenaries of administrative buildings and military headquarters in Rostov, surrendered without a fight.

The movement of Wagner convoys to the city of Voronezh has been reported.