Those dividing Russia will be punished: President Putin on alleged Wagner mutiny

TIL Desk/National/World/Moscow/ Describing action of mutineers who want to topple Russia’s military leadership as a “stab in the back”, President Vladimir Putin on Saturday warned of inevitable punishment for those dividing the country, media reports said.

Addressing the nation, Putin said: “Some Russians have been tricked into a criminal adventure”, without mentioning Wagner mercenary group. Describing the action of mutineers as “stab in the back”, the Russian President said that those dividing the country will be punished.

In an indirect reference to the Wagner mercenary group, Putin said: “High ambition of some have led to high treason.” All necessary orders have been given to deal with the crisis, he said.

Surprisingly, Putin at the end of his TV address mentioned the Wagner mercenary group but only to praise them for fighting for Moscow. On Friday night, the Kremlin ordered the arrest of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin after Russian intelligence accused him of calling for an “armed rebellion”.