Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday acknowledged that an armed rebellion has taken place in South Russia and threatened to take tough measures against "traitors of the State." In a televised statement, Putin urged the mutineers to abstain from partaking in "criminal acts and making fatal mistakes," adding that the rebellion was tantamount to "a treason and stab in the back of the armed forces." He was alluding to movement by the paramilitary force, Wagner, reportedly seizing some government facilities after the chief of the squad accused Russian forces of bombing his troops leaving many dead.
The insurgents are driving Russia into civil war, Putin said, warning "those behind the insurgency will be punished." He described as difficult the situation in Rostov, southern Russia, where the paramilitary forces took over some facilities. However, Putin vowed that measures would be taken to restore normalcy there. Wagner paramilitary forces have been taking part on side of the Russian forces in the war in Ukraine.
Source: Kuwait News Agency