Ukraine warfare: Vladimir Putin accuses Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin of ‘treason’ and ‘armed mutiny’

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the chief of the Wagner mercenary group of treason and main an “armed mutiny”.

Condemning the actions of one-time ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, who’s main a rebel to oust Russia’s defence minister, he branded them a “stab in the back” to the nation’s troopers and other people.

The Russian chief had beforehand tolerated the rantings and threats made by the person nicknamed “Putin’s chef” as a result of catering companies he owned offered meals to the Kremlin, however his persistence has lastly run out over the present unrest.

The disaster got here as Prigozhin claimed he and his troops had reached Rostov-on-Don after crossing the Russian border from Ukraine and brought management of key websites together with the airfield.

Ukraine warfare newest: Wagner boss and his troops seize metropolis 300 miles from Moscow

The metropolis is residence to the Russian army headquarters that directs operations in Ukraine.

The mercenary drive has additionally seized defence amenities within the metropolis of Voronezh, round 310 miles (500km) south of Moscow, in response to the Kremlin.

Prigozhin has vowed to “destroy anyone who stands in our way”.

“This is not an armed rebellion, but a march of justice,” he stated.

But responding, Putin stated: “It’s the equivalent to armed mutiny.

“Russia will defend itself and repel this transfer.

“We are fighting the life and security of our citizens.

“It’s an try to subvert us from inside.

“This is a stab in the back to our troops and the people of Russia.”

He added: “The entire military, economic and information machine of the West is waged against us.

“This battle, when the destiny of our individuals is being determined, requires the unification of all forces, unity, consolidation and duty.

“Those who plotted and organised an armed rebellion, who raised arms against his comrades-in-arms, betrayed Russia. And they will answer for it.”

Prigozhin has had a long-running feud with the defence ministry in Moscow led by Sergei Shoigu, who he claimed had focused his troops and ordered a rocket strike on Wagner’s camps in Ukraine – killing “a huge number of our comrades”.

He stated the assault occurred after he branded the nation’s army prime brass “evil” and stated the Kremlin’s rationale for invading Ukraine final February was based mostly on lies.

This has been denied by Moscow, which has described the allegations as “untrue and an informational provocation”.

The FSB safety service has urged the mercenary fighters to not perform “criminal and traitorous orders” and to detain Prigozhin.

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In an indication of how severely the Kremlin takes the risk, safety was heightened in Moscow.

While the result of the confrontation was nonetheless unclear, it appeared more likely to additional hinder Moscow’s warfare effort as Kyiv’s forces take a look at Russian defences within the preliminary phases of a counter-offensive.

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The Wagner forces have performed a vital position in Russia’s warfare in Ukraine, succeeding in taking town the place the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place, Bakhmut.

But Prigozhin has more and more criticised Russia’s army management, accusing it of incompetence and of ravenous his troops of weapons and ammunition.