Putin: "Armed Rebellion Doomed to Fail... Will Give Wagner the Choice of Where to Stay"

Putin's First National Address After Armed Rebellion
Prigozhin Also Releases First Message
"Started Because of Injustice... Not to Overthrow Government"

President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the armed rebellion by the mercenary company Wagner Group was destined to fail. He stated that Wagner Group soldiers were used for the rebellion and offered them the choice regarding their future.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

In a nationwide address on the 26th (local time), President Putin said, "this situation has shown that all threats and chaos were doomed to fail," and claimed, "The armed rebellion would have been suppressed in any case."

He stated, "From the beginning of the incident, all necessary decisions were immediately made to eliminate the threat and protect the constitution as well as the lives and safety of citizens," adding, "From the early stages of the situation, measures to avoid bloodshed were implemented under my direct orders." This was an explanation regarding the rapid advance of the rebel forces to the outskirts of Moscow within a day.

He also reaffirmed his promise to give Wagner Group soldiers the choice of their future and guarantee their safety.

President Putin said, "The Wagner Group can choose to contract with the Ministry of Defense or go to Belarus," and added, "The promise will definitely be fulfilled."

He said, "I know that most of the Wagner Group commanders and soldiers are patriots of Russia," and expressed gratitude to "the Wagner Group commanders and soldiers who made the right decision." He continued, "This incident confirmed the unity of the people," and added, "I thank the Russian people's patience, solidarity, and patriotism."

Regarding Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group who led the rebellion, he harshly criticized him, saying he "betrayed the motherland and his followers." He further claimed, "The rebellion instigators wanted the soldiers to kill each other," and "Ukraine also wanted the same outcome."

He also expressed gratitude for the mediation efforts and contributions toward a peaceful resolution by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko following the outbreak of the rebellion.

Meanwhile, Prigozhin released his first public message via Telegram after halting the armed rebellion, stating, "We started the march because of injustice."

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense ordered the Wagner Group to formally contract with the Ministry and operate by July 1. However, Prigozhin opposed this and refused the contract.

He explained, "We did not show any intention to attack, but we were attacked by missiles and helicopters, which triggered the events," and said, "We did not march to overthrow the Russian government."

He particularly referred to the rebellion as a "march of justice," normalizing his actions. Prigozhin justified his actions by saying, "The goal of the march of justice was to avoid the destruction of the Wagner Group," and "I wanted to hold accountable those who made mistakes during the special military operation."

Regarding the decision to withdraw just one day after the armed rebellion, he explained, "I turned back to avoid shedding Russian soldiers' blood."

Earlier, Prigozhin decided to withdraw and go into exile in Belarus through mediation by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. However, after leaving Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia that night, his whereabouts remain unknown.