Russia: Putin break silence on mutiny delay, says ‘steps were taken to avoid blood shed’
2 min read 27 Jun 2023, 06:29 AM ISTRussian President Putin said he allowed the aborted mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group to go on to avoid bloodshed.
PremiumRussian President Vladimir Putin stated on Monday that he let Saturday's aborted mutiny go on as long as it did to avoid bloodshed. Meanwhile, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, who led the uprising, claimed that his intention was never to overthrow the government.
Putin's televised address was his first public comment since Saturday, during which he had warned that the rebellion posed a significant threat to Russia's existence and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
"From the very beginning of the events, steps were taken on my direct instruction to avoid serious bloodshed," Putin said on Monday.
"Time was needed, among other things, to give those who had made a mistake a chance to come to their senses, to realise that their actions were firmly rejected by society, and that the adventure in which they had been involved had tragic and destructive consequences for Russia and for our state."
Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin issued an 11-minute audio message, leaving little information about his whereabouts or the deal that halted the advancement towards Moscow.
His sudden armed revolt, viewed by many Western leaders as a sign of Putin's vulnerability after the Ukraine invasion, caused shockwaves. However, Prigozhin abruptly called off the uprising as his fighters neared Moscow with minimal resistance, covering a distance of nearly 800 km (500 miles).
The Russian president said on Monday he would honour his weekend promise to allow Wagner forces to relocate to Belarus if they wanted, sign a contract with Russia's Defence Ministry, or return to their families.
He made no mention of Prigozhin. Putin met on Monday night with the heads of Russian security services, including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, IFX reported, citing a Kremlin spokesman.
One of Prigozhin's principal demands had been that Shoigu be sacked, along with Russia's top general, who by Monday evening had yet to appear in public since the mutiny.
Prigozhin, 62, a former Putin ally and ex-convict whose forces have fought the bloodiest battles of the Ukraine war, defied orders this month to place his troops under Defence Ministry command.
(With agency inputs)
