"Treason": Putin Calls Wagner Mutiny A "Threat To Nation", Vows To Crush Those Behind It

After the private mercenary group rebelled against the Russian military, President Vladimir Putin has vowed to punish everyone involved in the armed rebellion, and accused them of "treason".

In a televised address on Saturday morning, Putin appealed to those who "by deceit or threats, were dragged into a criminal adventure, pushed onto the path of a serious crime — an armed rebellion".

Putin's statement comes after Yevgeny Prigozhin, chief of the mercenary Wagner Group, accused the Kremlin of deliberately bombing Wagner troops.

Russia's Ministry of Defense denied the accusations, calling Prigozhin's remarks "informational provocation."

Reuters reported that after the Kremlin accused the Wagner group of armed mutiny, Wagner fighters crossed the border into Russia from Ukraine and were prepared to go "all the way" against Moscow's military.

The Wagner Group, a private army of mercenaries, has been fighting alongside the regular Russian army in Ukraine.

In recent months, Prigozhin, a one-time Putin ally, has carried out an increasingly bitter feud with Moscow.

Russian state media reported that the Wagner forces in a surprise move have taken control of the Southern Military District building in Rostov, prompting security to be tightened across Moscow.

In his address on Friday, Putin characterised the war in Ukraine as a struggle for Russia's future, requiring unity among its forces.

"Any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood, to us as a nation," warned Putin.

He further added that the current situation was a result of exorbitant ambitions and personal interests that led to treason.

"We will protect both our people and our statehood from any threats. Including — from internal betrayal. And what we are faced with is precisely a betrayal. Exorbitant ambitions and personal interests led to treason," Putin said, reports CNBC.

Putin acknowledged the challenging situation in Rostov-on-Don, a city in southwestern Russia near Ukraine, and expressed his intention to stabilise the situation.

Prigozhin claimed that he and his mercenary forces had taken control of the city, which is a crucial logistical hub for Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.

The Wagner chief has also demanded that top Russian general Valery Gerasimov and Defense Minister meet him in Rostov.

Wagner chief Prigozhin was once considered one of the president's long-standing associates and supporters.

As tensions escalated between the paramilitary leader and senior defense officials, Prigozhin was cautious not to direct his criticism towards the Kremlin and Putin.

Russia heavily relied on the mercenary group in its war, but the Wagner fighters and Moscow have grown apart.

Prigozhin previously complained about receiving only a fraction of the requested ammunition deliveries for his forces. He also criticised the strategy of defense officials in Ukraine.