Putin vows to defeat Wagner revolt as forces launch counter-terrorist operation

Moscow mayor declares Monday holiday, urges people to stay indoors

By AFP

Published: Sat 24 Jun 2023, 9:16 PM

Russian forces launched a "counter-terrorist operation" to halt the advance of Wagner private forces towards Moscow as President Vladimir Putin vowed to defeat the revolt and head off the threat of civil war.

Putin's spokesman said the Russian leader was still at work in the Kremlin and had not fled Moscow, as regular forces launched an operation to halt the rebel advance in the Voronezh region, on the Wagner force's route to the capital.

The governor of the Lipetsk region, whose capital is just 420km south of Moscow, said Wagner's private military force was "moving across" the territory and urged civilians not to leave their homes.

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In the capital, the mayor urged Muscovites to stay indoors and declared Monday a day off work.

"The situation is difficult. I ask you to refrain from travelling around the city as much as possible," Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a statement, warning of possible road closures.

The Russian foreign ministry said that it would achieve all the goals set for what it calls the "special military operation" in Ukraine would be achieved, and warned the West against trying to exploit the revolt for "Russo-phobic goals".

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, once a close Putin ally, said his troops had taken control of the military command centre and airbase in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don.

"We got to Rostov. Without a single shot we captured the HQ building," he said, in an audio message on social media channels, claiming that local civilians had welcomed the operation.

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Responding to the challenge in a televised address, Putin accused Prighozin — whose private army provided shock troops for Moscow's offensive in Ukraine — of a "stab in the back" that posed a threat to Russia's very survival.

"Any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood and to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia and to our people," Putin said, demanding national unity.

"Extravagant ambitions and personal interests led to treason," Putin said, referring to Prigozhin, who built his powerbase as a catering contractor to the Kremlin and now runs a private military force.

"All those who consciously stood on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed rebellion, stood on the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment, before the law and before our people," Putin vowed.

The FSB security service accused Prigozhin of attempting to launch a "civil conflict" and urged Wagner fighters to detain him.

Another Putin ally, Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, declared that he had dispatched his own units to help quash the Wagner rebellion.

"Defence ministry and National Guard fighters of the Chechen Republic have already left for the zones of tension," Kadyrov said on Telegram.

"The rebellion must be put down, and if harsh measures are necessary, we are ready!"

Belarus also backed Moscow in the conflict.

"Any provocation, any internal conflict in military or political circles, in the information field or in civil society is a gift to the collective West," the Belarusian foreign ministry said.

Latvia announced that it was tightening security on its Russian border and would not admit refugees fleeing the chaos.

Inside Ukraine, emergency services said that three people were killed and nearly a dozen injured in Kyiv after what authorities said was an overnight barrage of 40 Russian cruise missiles and at least two attack drones.

After Putin's speech accusing him of treason, Prigozhin launched a second broadside.

"On treason of the motherland: The president is deeply wrong. We are patriots of our motherland," Prigozhin said. "Nobody plans to turn themselves in at the request of the president, the FSB or anyone else."

Russia's headquarters in Rostov-on-Don is a key logistical base for its offensive in Ukraine.

Armed Wagner fighters deployed around administrative buildings in Rostov and tanks could be seen in the city centre.

As the insurrection force headed north through Voronezh and Lipetsk towards Moscow, the capital's mayor announced that "anti-terrorist" measures were being taken.

Critical facilities were "under reinforced protection", TASS reported, citing a law enforcement source.