Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance on Saturday after Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin called for a mutiny as the country witnessed a series of dramatic incidents – in the latest incident of public spat between the country’s top defense officials and private armies. The fights were performed formally.
In a video released by his ministry, Shoigu is shown flying in a helicopter and then attending a meeting with military officials at a military headquarters in Ukraine. According to RIA news agency,
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Citing the Russian Ministry of Defense, the RIA news agency reported that the commanders of the Western Group of Forces were tasked with continuing active reconnaissance in order to reveal in advance the “enemy’s plans” and prevent their implementation on the distant approaches to the line has been assigned. of contact.”
During his visit, the Minister paid special attention to the organization of comprehensive support for the troops involved in the special military operation and the creation of conditions for the safe deployment of personnel. In addition, the Minister of Defense noted the effectiveness of the Western Group in identifying and destroying concentrations of military equipment and enemy personnel.
Wagner’s rebellion that ended within 24 hours
Significantly, Saturday saw a series of dramatic incidents in Russia after Prigozhin called for an uprising – with the latest incident publicly demonstrating the tussle between the country’s official and private armies. Subsequently, several videos showed Wagner fighters racing north in convoy, carrying tanks and armored trucks, and capturing the city of Rostov before storming the barricades set up to stop them. Later, several media reports also claimed that oil depots and important buildings were blown up by private armed groups.
Putin’s desperate call to Wagner
Amidst the dramatic situation, President Putin appeared on national television channels, where he said that the country was fighting against “some people” who had unfortunately called for an uprising against their own country. The Russian President condemned the actions of Wagner’s boss and called his statements a call for armed civil strife on Russian territory. “Prigozin’s statements and actions effectively call for an armed civil conflict on Russian territory and a back-stabbing of Russian soldiers fighting alongside pro-Nazi Ukrainian forces.”
“I appeal to the Russians, the military and law enforcement agencies and those who were pushed on the path of armed rebellion by deception and threats. Russia is fighting hard for its future, the entire military and information machine of the West. is directed against Russia,” he said. The Russian President stressed, “Any conflict during the period of the special operation must be abandoned, now the fate of our people is being decided. We suffered a betrayal, a betrayal of Russia because of excessive ambitions.” Happened.”
Wagner chief Prigozhin will leave for Belarus after talks
Subsequently, the head of the private paramilitary group announced a halt to its campaign against Putin after signing an apparent agreement mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Although Prigozhin, a top and trusted aide of President Putin, said that his decision came to avoid “bloodshed”, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Wagner’s boss had asked the Russian Defense Ministry to avoid similar situations. signed a contract with.
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