Power struggle in Russia
Putin wants to punish insurgents around Prigozhin
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation. photo
© Uncredited/Russian Presidential Press Service/AP/dpa
In Russia, the conflict between the Wagner mercenary group and the regular army escalates. Now President Putin intervenes – with drastic words.
In response to the armed uprising by the head of the Wagner mercenary army, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has spoken of “treason” and called for the masterminds to be eliminated. The armed forces had received orders to bring the organizers to their “inevitable punishment,” the Kremlin chief said in a televised address to the nation on Saturday. Russian state media had reported that Putin spoke of “neutralizing” those behind the armed uprising. However, the formulation was not so.
Wagner boss Prigozhin, on the other hand, accused President Putin of misjudging the situation surrounding the armed uprising of his mercenaries. “The President is badly mistaken,” he said in a voice message on his Telegram channel. “We are patriots of our homeland.”
Putin said anyone who takes up arms and organizes an armed uprising will be punished. The Russian President called on the Wagner fighters to immediately end their participation in criminal activities. Until now, Prigozhin has been considered Putin’s confidant. At the same time, Putin confirmed the blockade of important objects in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don by the mercenary force. “In fact, the work of civil and military leadership bodies is blocked,” Putin said in an address to the Russian people broadcast on state television. Regarding the situation in the Rostov region bordering Ukraine, he said: “It remains difficult.”
Russia has been waging a war of aggression against neighboring Ukraine for 16 months. The Wagner mercenaries have so far been among the most important troops. After months of teasing and then also public criticism, Wagner boss Prigozhin now openly opposed the military leadership in Moscow.
Destination probably Moscow?
Prigozhin said his fighters took control of important military objects in Rostov, including an airfield. According to British intelligence, Wagner units are moving north through the Voronezh region. The destination is probably the capital Moscow, according to a statement in London. An anti-terror emergency was declared in Moscow on Saturday. During the night, military vehicles were on the move in the city center.
The Ministry of Defense also called on the mercenaries to surrender. They were drawn into a “criminal adventure” by Prigozhin. “Many of your comrades from multiple units have already realized their mistake by asking for help so they can safely return to their locations,” it said. “Please be reasonable and contact representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry or law enforcement agencies as soon as possible. We guarantee everyone’s safety.”
The authorities in Moscow are now investigating Prigozhin for calling for an armed uprising. The domestic secret service FSB called on the Wagner mercenaries to arrest their boss. The mercenary leader accuses the Defense Ministry of poor leadership in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and has repeatedly sharply criticized Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in particular.