This Is Treason, Backstabbers Will Be Punished: Putin Vows To End Wagner Rebellion

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday condemned the Wagner rebellion and ordered armed forces to neutralise those responsible.

Addressing the nation, Putin said mutiny is like a stab in the back of the country.

"This is treason. Will do anything to defend Russia," Putin told Russians in a televised address hours after Wagner forces took over parts of Russian cities of Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh.

"At night, I spoke with the commanders of all directions, the troops are fighting heroically. I call for unity, consolidation and responsibility," Putin said.

"All those who prepared the rebellion will suffer inevitable punishment. The armed forces and other government agencies have received the necessary orders," Putin said.

He urged "those who are being dragged into this crime not to make a fatal and tragic, unique mistake, to make the only right choice - to stop participating in criminal acts."

Putin condemned the rebellion at a time when Russia was "fighting the toughest battle for its future" with its war in Ukraine. "The entire military, economic and information machine of the West is waged against us," Putin said.

"This battle, when the fate of our people is being decided, requires the unification of all forces, unity, consolidation and responsibility." An armed rebellion at a time like this is "a blow to Russia, to its people," the president said.

"Those who plotted and organised an armed rebellion, who raised arms against his comrades-in-arms, betrayed Russia. And they will answer for it," Putin said.

Reportedly, Putin is getting minute-to-minute updates from all relevant state security agencies on the measures being taken to thwart an attempted armed mutiny.

Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who called for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russia's defense minister, confirmed that his troops have reached a key Russian city after crossing the border from Ukraine.

Yeveny Prigozhin posted a video of himself in Rostov-on-Don at the Russian military headquarters that oversees the fighting in Ukraine.

He claimed that his forces had military facilities in the city under their control, including the air field.

Following the threat, security was heightened in Moscow and in Rostov-on-Don. But it is still unknown how he was able to enter the southern Russian city or how many troops he had with him.

While the outcome of the confrontation was still unclear, it appeared likely to further hinder Moscow's war effort as Kyiv's forces were probing Russian defenses in the initial stages of a counteroffensive.

Prigozhin's threat could also have repercussions for President Vladimir Putin and his ability to maintain a united front. The Wagner forces have played a crucial role in Russia's war in Ukraine, succeeding in taking the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place, Bakhmut.