Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged Saturday to defend the country and its people from an armed rebellion declared by Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, describing the call to action as a treasonous decision that puts the country’s survival in peril.
In a televised address Saturday morning, Putin said the mutiny amounted to “a deadly threat to our statehood,” vowing there will be “tough actions” in response.
“All those who prepared the rebellion will suffer inevitable punishment,” Putin stated. “The armed forces and other government agencies have received the necessary orders.”
While he did not call Prigozhin out by name, he described the rebellion as a “criminal adventure, a grave crime, an armed mutiny” and encouraged those involved to “stop participating in criminal acts.”
RUSSIAN WARLORD THREATENS KREMLIN MILITARY OFFICIALS FOR ALLEGED ATTACK ON HIS TROOPS: REPORT
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation in Moscow Saturday following Wagner Group chief Yevgeny…