The Russian Armed Forces received an order to neutralize the organizers of the rebellion, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his video address.
He recalled that the country is waging a hard fight for the future. «The whole machine of the West is directed against us, we are fighting for independence, the opportunity to remain Russia. This battle requires unity and consolidation, we must forget all discord. Actions that split unity are a stab in the back of our country and our people. Exorbitant ambitions led to treason. We are being pushed toward defeat and surrender. This is a blow to Russia. Our response will be tough. All those who have taken the path of rebellion and terrorism will be severely punished. The departments have received orders, and decisive actions will be taken to unblock Rostov,» Vladimir Putin said.
He added that those who organized the rebellion and took up arms against their comrades-in-arms committed a crime and will be held accountable for it.
On June 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), accused the Defense Ministry of hitting his company’s positions and said that 25,000 people were going to «deal with it.» He said this morning that Wagner PMC controls the military facilities of the city.
The Ministry of Defense called Prigozhin’s messages an «information provocation» and rejected accusations of strikes on PMC positions.
The FSB opened a criminal case against Yevgeny Prigozhin for organizing an armed rebellion. He faces from 12 to 20 years in prison.
General Surovikin and Lieutenant General Alekseev recorded video messages to Wagner PMC. Surovikin asked to stop and not «play into the hands of the enemy in this difficult time for the country,» and Alekseev called Prigozhin’s actions «a stab in the back of the country and the president.» Later, Prigozhin said that his fighters «crossed state borders in all places» and «are entering Rostov.»
Restrictions are being introduced in a number of Russian regions — in particular, mass events have been canceled in Lipetsk and Voronezh Oblasts, as well as in Rostov-on-Don. The M-4 highway on the border of Lipetsk and Voronezh Oblasts is blocked due to the movement of military equipment, traffic jams have formed there.
In order to prevent possible terrorist attacks on the territory of Moscow and the Moscow Oblast, an anti-terrorist operation regime has been declared. The anti-terrorist operation regime has also been declared in Voronezh Oblast.
