Mercenary Wagner group’s armed rise up in Russia | What we all know to this point

By India Today World Desk: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday in a televised handle warned of a harsh response to rebellious Wagner fighters. Without particularly mentioning Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin stated the excessive “ambitions” of some have led to “high treason”.

“What we are witnessing now is a stab in the back, and they must bear the punishment. Our response will be harsh to this armed rebellion. We need in Russia the unity of all our forces,” the president stated, vowing to punish ‘traitors’.

Putin stated “armed mutiny” by the Wagner Group mercenary power was “treason”, and that anybody who had taken up arms towards the Russian navy could be punished.

He stated “decisive action” could be taken to stabilise the scenario in Rostov-on-Don.

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WAGNER GROUP TAKES ON RUSSIA

The remarks of the Russian President got here because the chief of the Wagner non-public navy firm, Yevgeny Prigozhin, introduced that he had entered Russia along with his troops to overthrow the nation’s navy command. Prigozhin claimed that his forces had navy services in Russia’s southern metropolis of Rostov-on-Don beneath their management.

“We are inside the (army) headquarters, it is 7:30 am (0430 GMT),” Prigozhin stated in a video on Telegram. “Military sites in Rostov, including an aerodrome, are under control,” he stated.

The Wagner group additionally claimed it had taken management of Russian navy services within the Russian metropolis of Voronezh. He stated he and his 25,000 troopers had been prepared to sacrifice their lives.

As Wagner fighters took management of navy institutions in key Russian cities, the Russian authorities stepped up safety in a number of areas. The Moscow mayor stated that “anti-terrorism” actions had been being taken within the metropolis.

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RUSSIA ORDERS WAGNER CHIEF’S ARREST

Russia’s safety companies had responded to Prigozhin’s declaration of an armed rise up by calling for his arrest.

In Moscow, vital services had been “under reinforced protection”, the TASS state-run information company reported, citing a regulation enforcement supply.

Russia’s FSB safety had opened a prison case towards Prigozhin for armed mutiny. The FSB safety service blamed the Wagner chief for making an attempt to begin a “civil conflict” and known as on Wagner fighters to seize him.

WHY AN ARMED REBELLION?

Prigozhin, whose Wagner militia spearheaded the seize of the Ukrainian metropolis of Bakhmut final month, has for months been overtly accusing defence minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia’s prime common, Valery Gerasimov, of rank incompetence and of denying Wagner ammunition and help in its battles in Ukraine.

As their feud appeared to return to a head, the ministry issued an announcement saying Prigozhin’s accusations had been “not true and are an informational provocation”.

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Prigozhin has accused the Russian navy of finishing up a lethal missile strike on Wagner troops in Ukraine, a cost defence ministry has denied.

He posted a video wherein he says Wagner forces will proceed to blockade the town and transfer on to Moscow except defence chiefs Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimovn meet him, reported the BBC.

“I ask that nobody put up any resistance.” In a later Telegram submit, Prigozhin stated that his criticism of the navy management was a “march of justice” and never a coup.

The mercenary chief has more and more put himself at odds with the Kremlin narrative concerning the warfare, whereas warning Russians that full mobilization and martial regulation are essential to keep away from defeat in Ukraine.

He additionally accused Russia’s prime protection officers of utilizing the warfare to complement themselves and leaving the nation unprotected following a border incursion by attackers who crossed from Ukraine.

(With inputs from companies)

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