Putin: Wagner's rebellion is treason

President Putin spoke on television, affirming that Wagner's rebellion was an act of treason and that those involved would be punished.

"What we are facing is treason. Excessive ambition and personal interests have led to betrayal of the country and its people. It also betrays the common cause for which the members and commanders of the Wagner Group fought and died," Russian President Vladimir Putin said on national television today, referring to the recent activities of the Wagner paramilitary organization led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Mr Putin stressed that Wagner had helped Russia control Bakhmut, however, "their name and glory were betrayed by those who were trying to organize a rebellion".

Putin: Wagner's rebellion is treason — President Putin spoke on television, calling Wagner's rebellion treason. Video : *Reuters*

"All those who have gone down the path of treason will be punished and held accountable. The armed forces have received the necessary orders," the Kremlin leader declared, affirming that the rebellion was a "stab in the back" for Russia.

"Those who organized the riot will be held accountable. Those who are involved in this, I call on you to stop your criminal actions," he said.

The Russian leader stressed that as president and commander-in-chief, he would "do everything possible to protect the country" and that the government would take "decisive actions" to stabilize the situation in the Rostov region, in the south of the country, where Prigozhin claimed Wagner had taken control of all military facilities there.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks on television from Moscow on June 24. Photo: Reuters — Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks on television from Moscow on June 24. Photo: *Reuters*

Mr Putin also said that Russia is waging a difficult struggle for the future as the entire Western military and information apparatus is aimed at the country.

"This is a struggle in which the fate of our nation will be decided, it requires solidarity of all forces, unanimity, unity and responsibility," the Russian President emphasized.

On June 23, the Russian Security Service (FSB) announced that it had opened an investigation into Mr. Prigozhin for "inciting rebellion" by calling on Wagner forces to fight against the Ministry of Defense .

The FSB announced the decision to open proceedings after Mr Prigozhin accused Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu of flying to Rostov to direct the missile strike on the Wagner training camp, causing heavy casualties, something the Russian military denied.

Boss Wagner announced sending 25,000 troops to Rostov to question Minister Shoigu about the attack, while affirming that this was "a march for justice, not a coup" and that this action "does not hinder the Russian army".

The FSB said Mr Prigozhin's statements and actions "constitute incitement to armed conflict on Russian territory, betrayal of soldiers fighting with pro-fascist Ukrainian forces".

A Wagner gunman in Rostov on June 24. Photo: Reuters — A Wagner gunman in Rostov on June 24. Photo: *Reuters*

Prigozhin announced on the morning of June 24 that Wagner had taken control of all military facilities in Rostov, and asked Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to meet him. "If they don't come, we will stay here, we will blockade the city of Rostov and move towards Moscow," he said in a video.

Wagner later announced that they had taken control of an additional military facility in the city of Voronezh, 500 km from Moscow. Russia announced that it had launched an anti-terrorist operation in the area.

Before President Putin's speech, the Russian Defense Ministry also issued a message calling on Wagner militants to stop rebelling, saying they were being lured into criminal acts by tycoon Prigozhin. Russia announced the imposition of an anti-terrorist regime in the capital Moscow as a precautionary measure.