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Putin Condemns Rebels, Praises Unity in Defeating Uprising Led by Prigozhin
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Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address on Monday, denouncing the rebels behind the recent uprising as "traitors" and "enemies of Russia." He emphasized the importance of national unity in swiftly putting an end to the coup attempt led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the mercenary Wagner Group.
During his five-minute speech, Putin commended Russian patriotism for playing a crucial role in thwarting the rebellion and stated that it would have been suppressed if it had continued. He expressed gratitude to the military personnel, law enforcement officers, and special servicemen who remained loyal to their duty and the Russian people.
While acknowledging that most of the mercenaries avoided escalating the situation into violence, Putin placed much of the blame on Prigozhin, his former ally who fled to Belarus under a deal. Prigozhin's whereabouts remain unknown. Putin expressed confidence that the majority of Wagner group fighters would adhere to orders, despite Prigozhin's criticism of Russian military leaders and his refusal to comply with signing contracts to join the regular forces.
In a separate statement, Prigozhin defended his actions as a protest against injustice rather than an attempt to overthrow the regime. He denied responsibility for the deaths of Russian pilots and claimed that they attacked his troops. Prigozhin argued that if Russian troops had advanced into Ukraine as swiftly as his Wagner troops did during their march, the conflict would have ended in a single day.
Prigozhin's march, which started on Friday, was halted following a deal brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. The agreement allowed Prigozhin to go to Belarus without facing treason or other charges, although the criminal case against him reportedly remains open. Prigozhin and his estimated 50,000-strong mercenary troops have played a significant role in Russia's attempts to gain territory in Ukraine's Donbas region. He has frequently criticized Russia's military leaders for insufficient support and the perceived shortcomings of regular troops.
As Ukraine's counteroffensive gains momentum, the divisions within Russia's military appear to be widening. In just three weeks, Ukraine has recaptured a greater area of land from Russia's occupation than Russia seized during its entire winter offensive, according to British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.
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