I guess things are getting pretty serious over in Russia… Putin has reportedly fled Moscow as the Wagner lead coup attempt continues.
As a plane belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin fled Moscow flying to St. Petersburg, Kremlin attempted to quiet an “armed rebellion” from Wagner mercenaries threatening to weaken the country’s army in the Ukrainian war.
Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin announced early Saturday morning that he and his troops reached the city of Rostov-on-Don.
Via social media, Prigozhin posted a video showing he arrived in the city, which is home to the Russian military headquarters overseeing the war in Ukraine. However, it is unclear how he entered the town, which is currently under tight security.
Prigozhin’s arrival marks the first real threat to Putin’s control in over two decades— which he called a “stab in the back.”
“All those who prepared the rebellion will suffer inevitable punishment,” Putin said. “The armed forces and other government agencies have received the necessary orders.”
Prigozhin and the defense ministry have recently been arguing, with him accusing Russian military officials of withholding his troops of weapons and ammunition.
“This is not a military coup, but a march of justice,” Prigozhin said on Friday. “The evil embodied by the country’s military leadership must be stopped.”