Putin blames West for June 24 Wagner coup attempt, says it wants Russians to kill each other
In a televised address, Putin said that Russia's enemies had hoped the mutiny would divide and weaken Russia, but they miscalculated. (Photo credit: Sputnik/Gavriil via Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine and its Western allies of deliberately provoking Russians to turn against each other during the recent mutiny led by mercenaries of the Wagner group.
In his first televised address since the events unfolded on Saturday (June 24), Putin expressed gratitude to the nation for their patriotism and said that his priority was to prevent large-scale bloodshed.
"Russia's enemies had hoped the mutiny would divide and weaken Russia, but they miscalculated," Putin said in a in a five-minute televised address on Monday (June 26).
Russia's enemies
Putin condemned the motives behind the mutiny, suggesting that both the neo-Nazi factions in Kyiv and their Western supporters, along with domestic traitors, aimed to create internal strife among Russian soldiers.
He said that their ultimate goal was to witness Russians killing one another, but their plans were thwarted by measures implemented by his administration.
"It was precisely this fratricide that Russia's enemies wanted. Noth the neo-Nazis in Kyiv and their Western patrons, and all sorts of national traitors. They wanted Russian soldiers to kill each other," Putin said.
Thanks Russian public
Expressing appreciation for the solidarity shown by Russian civilians, Putin highlighted the failure of attempts to blackmail or destabilize the country.
He commended the work of security officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was a primary target of the mutiny, for their efforts in handling the armed rebellion.
On Wagner fighters
Putin announced amnesty for the Wagner fighters involved in the mutiny and provided them with options for their future. He encouraged them to consider joining the Russian army or other law enforcement agencies, giving them an opportunity to continue serving the country.
Alternatively, they were offered the choice to relocate to Belarus or return to their families. Putin, however, declined to name Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Prigozhin defends his actions
Earlier, in the day, Prigozhin defended his aborted mutiny as a bid to save his mercenary outfit and expose the failures of Russia's military leadership. He said he called off the march to prevent Russian bloodshed.
Prigozhin said the rebellion was a protest and not an attempt to topple the government. "The Russian Defense Ministry had planned for Wagner to cease to exist from July 1, he said in an audio message.
Fight in Ukraine
Fighting continued in Ukraine, with Kyiv's forces claiming new victories in their efforts to remove Russian troops from the eastern and southern regions.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Russian authorities scaled back their enhanced security measures in the capital city, signaling a return to normalcy, reported AFP.
What happened in Russia on June 24
The conflict between the leader of the Wagner group and Russian military officials has been going on since the war in Ukraine started. Prigozhin has time and again questioned Russian military leaders and the defence minister, and has accused them of attacking the the Wagner fighters.
This escalated in a mutiny when the group's mercenaries departed Ukraine and seized control of a military headquarters in Rostov, a city in southern Russia. Their advance went unchallenged as they traveled hundreds of miles towards Moscow, only to abruptly reverse course in less than 24 hours on Saturday (June 24).
Putin faced one of the most significant challenges to his 22-year rule, with rebel mercenaries inching closer to Moscow. Speculation of a coup was rampant, as the Wagner Group was a mere 200 kilometers away from the Russian capital. However, events took an unexpected turn when Prigozhin issued an order for his mercenaries to halt their march.
He cited his desire to prevent the loss of Russian lives and declared his agreement to live in exile in Belarus.
What happens next?
Russia was already losing grip over the territories it occupied during the Ukrainian war. Now, with the recent coup attempt led by the Wagner chief, the situation could worsen further for Putin and his military.
Doubts regarding Putin's leadership have emerged, and there is speculation that he may not possess the unwavering control he portrays. The suggestion is that he has been outmaneuvered by Prigozhin, leaving him vulnerable and exposed.
However, it is important to note that such claims remain speculative. An alternative viewpoint could be that Prigozhin's departure to Belarus has resulted in the Russian army gaining full command over his 25,000 mercenaries, which could potentially enhance their position in Ukraine.