"We are fighting for the lives and security of our people. The gunmen of the Wagner mercenary group have been deceived," Putin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

President Putin stressed: "We will take decisive actions to stabilize the situation in the city of Rostov-On-Don. All those who participated in the rebellion will be punished." The Russian leader added that the Russian armed forces have received the necessary orders. According to President Putin, the uprising by the head of the private military corporation Wagner, Evgeny Prigozhin, is a betrayal of Russia and its people.

Special units of the Russian National Guard have been put on alert. All major events scheduled for this weekend in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don have been cancelled. Local officials had earlier urged people to avoid the city centre and stay at home.

According to Reuters, a Russian security source said that Wagner mercenaries have taken control of all military facilities in the city of Voronezh, about 500 km south of Moscow. Earlier, the head of the Wagner mercenary group announced control of military facilities in the city of Rostov and demanded a meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, otherwise Wagner would blockade Rostov and advance on Moscow.

VNA