Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing an internal revolt against Russian military leadership from the head of mercenary Wagner forces Yevgeny Prigozhin, gave an emergency speech on Saturday denouncing the “mortal threat” to the Russian state.
“Any internal turmoil is a mortal threat to our statehood, to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia and to our people. And our actions to protect the Fatherland from such a threat will be severe.”
Putin gives emergency speech denouncing rebellion of Wagner mercenary group. pic.twitter.com/TfZ0fKEcQH
— Becker News (@NewsBecker) June 24, 2023
I appeal to the citizens of Russia, to the personnel of the Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies and special services, to the soldiers and commanders who are now fighting in their combat positions, repelling enemy attacks, doing it heroically – I know that I spoke again this night with the commanders of all appointments. I also appeal to those who, by deception or threats, were dragged into a criminal adventure, pushed onto the path of a serious crime – armed rebellion.
Russia today is waging an uphill struggle for its future, repelling the aggression of neo-Nazis and their masters. Virtually the entire military, economic, and information machine of the West is directed against us. We are fighting for the lives and security of our people, for our sovereignty and independence. For the right to be and remain Russia – a state with a thousand-year history.
This battle, when the fate of our people is being decided, requires the unity of all forces, unity, consolidation and responsibility. Everything that weakens us must be cast aside; any strife that our external enemies can and will be used to undermine us from within.
That is why the actions that split our unity are, in fact, defection from our people, from our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the front. This is a stab in the back of our country and our people.
It was such a blow that was inflicted on Russia in 1917, when the country was waging the First World War. But the victory was stolen from her. Intrigues, squabbles, politicking behind the backs of the army and the people turned into the greatest shock, the destruction of the army and the collapse of the state, the loss of vast territories. As a result, the tragedy of civil war.
Russians killed Russians, brothers killed brothers, and all sorts of political adventurers and foreign forces that divided the country and tore it apart extracted selfish benefits. We will not let this happen again. We will protect both our people and our statehood from any threats. Including – from internal betrayal.
And what we are facing is precisely betrayal. Exorbitant ambitions and personal interests led to betrayal. To betrayal of their country, and their people, and the cause for which, side by side with our other units and subunits, the fighters and commanders of the Wagner Group fought and died.
The heroes who liberated Soledar and Artyomovsk, the cities and towns of Donbass, fought and gave their lives for Novorossiya, for the unity of the Russian world. Their name and glory were also betrayed by those who are trying to organize a rebellion, pushing the country towards anarchy and fratricide. To defeat, in the end, and surrender.
I repeat, any internal turmoil is a mortal threat to our statehood, to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia, to our people. And our actions to protect the Fatherland from such a threat will be severe. All those who deliberately embarked on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed rebellion, embarked on the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will be inevitably punished, will answer both before the law and before our people.
The Armed Forces and other state bodies have received the necessary orders, and additional anti-terrorist measures are being introduced in Moscow, the Moscow Region and a number of other regions. Decisive action will also be taken to stabilize the situation in Rostov-on-Don. It remains complex, in fact, the work of civil and military authorities is blocked.
As President of Russia and Supreme Commander-in-Chief, as a citizen of Russia, I will do everything to defend the country, protect the constitutional order, lives, security and freedom of citizens.
Those who organized and prepared a military rebellion, who took up arms against their comrades-in-arms, betrayed Russia. And they will answer for it. And I urge those who are trying to be drawn into this crime not to make a fatal and tragic, unique mistake, to make the only right choice – to stop participating in criminal actions.
I believe that we will preserve and defend what is dear and sacred to us, and together with our Motherland we will overcome any trials, we will become even stronger.
Putin’s speech preceded reported air strikes and armed attacks on Wagner forces outside of Voronezh, which is on the road north to Moscow from Rostov-on-Don, where Wagner forces earlier had seized control of Southern Military District headquarters.
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Source: Becker News Rephrased By: InfoArmed