Russia: Wagner Paramilitary Group Says It Will End Coup Attempt, Putin Vows to Destroy Traitors

This morning, a coup attempt against Russian President Vladimir Putin unfolded, orchestrated by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group. However, Prigozhin has just announced a reversal of their troops after advancing towards Moscow in a significant test of Putin’s authority. In an audio statement on Saturday, Prigozhin stated that their columns would turn back and retreat to their field camps as planned, citing the potential shedding of Russian blood as the reason for ending the insurrection. This decision came after negotiations with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin, in response, pledged decisive actions to quash the treasonous armed rebellion orchestrated by the Wagner group, which had posed a threat to his 24-year rule. Prigozhin had previously vowed to go all the way to Moscow to overthrow Russia’s military leadership. The Wagner group, a private military army fighting alongside Russia’s regular forces in Ukraine, has been a source of tension due to disagreements over the conduct of the war.

Prigozhin accused Moscow on Friday of launching a deadly military strike on his troops, claiming that his forces had crossed into Russia from Ukraine and gained control of Rostov-on-Don, including military facilities such as the airfield. Videos on social media showed military vehicles, including tanks, in the city, though the situation appeared relatively calm. Putin seemed to acknowledge the loss of control over Rostov-on-Don, and there were indications that Wagner fighters had moved north to Voronezh, approximately 320 miles from Moscow.

During his approximately five-minute address, Putin described the mutiny as a betrayal of the country and its people, pledging to hold those responsible accountable. While he did not mention Prigozhin by name, Putin referred to his actions as a criminal adventure and a grave crime:

I appeal to the citizens of Russia, to the personnel of the Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies, and special services, to the soldiers and commanders who are now fighting in their combat positions, repulsing enemy attacks, doing it heroically – I know, I spoke to the commanders of all directions again last night. I also appeal to those who, by deceit or threats, were dragged into a criminal adventure, and pushed onto the path of a serious crime – an armed rebellion.

Russia today 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 use to undermine us from within.

And therefore, the actions that split our unity are, in fact, apostasy from our people, from our comrades-in-arms, who are now fighting at the front. This is a stab in the back of our country and our people.

It was such a blow that was dealt to Russia in 1917 when the country was waging the First World War. But the victory was stolen from her. Intrigues, squabbles, and politicking behind the backs of the army and the people turned into the greatest shock, the destruction of the army and the collapse of the state, the loss of vast territories. As a result, the tragedy of the civil war.

Russians killed Russians, brothers – brothers, and all sorts of political adventurers and foreign forces, who divided the country, tore it apart, and took selfish gain.

We won’t let this happen again. We will protect both our people and our statehood from any threats. Including – from internal betrayal.

And what we are faced with is precisely a betrayal. Exorbitant ambitions and personal interests led to treason. To betray our country, our people, and the cause for which, side by side with our other units and subunits, the soldiers and commanders of the Wagner group fought and died. The heroes who liberated Soledar and Artyomovsk, the cities and towns of Donbas, fought and gave their lives for Novorossia, and 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. To defeat, in the end, and surrender.

I repeat any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood, to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia and to our people. And our actions to protect the Fatherland from such a threat will be tough. All those who deliberately embarked on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed rebellion, and embarked on the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment and will answer both before the law and before our people.

The Armed Forces and other government agencies have received the necessary orders, and additional antiterrorist measures are now being introduced in Moscow, the Moscow Region and a number of other regions. Resolute actions will also be taken to stabilize the situation in Rostov-on-Don. It remains difficult; in fact, the work of civil and military authorities is blocked.

As the President of Russia and Supreme Commander-in-Chief, as a citizen of Russia, I will do everything to defend the country, to protect the constitutional order, the lives, security and freedom of citizens.

The one who organized and prepared the military rebellion, who raised arms against his comrades-in-arms, betrayed Russia. And they will answer for it. And I urge those who are being drawn into this crime not to make a fatal and tragic, unique mistake, to make the only right choice – to stop participating in criminal acts.

I believe that we will save and defend what is dear and sacred to us, and together with our Motherland we will overcome any trials, we will become even stronger.