Putin pledges to inflict punishment on mutiny participants, accuses them of committing treason

Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to punish all individuals involved in the “armed rebellion” and accused them of treason.

In a televised address on Saturday morning, Putin appealed to those who were coerced into participating in a criminal adventure, branding it as an armed rebellion.

These statements come in response to Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the mercenary Wagner Group, accusing the Kremlin of deliberately bombing Wagner troops. Russia’s Ministry of Defense has denied these allegations, describing Prigozhin’s comments as “informational provocation.” Prigozhin had also asserted that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was based on false pretenses.

Putin portrayed the war in Ukraine as a fight for Russia’s future, emphasizing the need for unity among its forces. He warned, “I repeat, any internal turmoil poses a deadly threat to our statehood, to us as a nation.”

“We will protect our people and our statehood from all threats, including internal betrayals,” Putin stated. “And what we are facing right now is precisely a betrayal. Excessive ambitions and personal interests have led to treason.”

Putin also acknowledged the challenging situation in Rostov-on-Don, a city in southwestern Russia near Ukraine, but expressed his commitment to stabilize the situation there.

Prigozhin has claimed that he and his mercenary forces have gained control of the city, which is a crucial logistical hub for Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. These claims have not been verified by CNBC. The Wagner leader has demanded a meeting with top Russian general Valery Gerasimov and Defense Minister in Rostov.

The U.K. defense ministry has characterized the conflict between Wagner and Moscow as “the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times,” emphasizing the importance of Russia’s forces’ loyalty in determining the outcome. The ministry noted that there is limited evidence of Russian forces engaging in combat with the mercenaries, with some cases of remaining “passive” or “acquiescent.”

Putin’s commitment to hold the organizers of the rebellion accountable marks a notable split with Prigozhin, who was once a staunch supporter of the president. Despite rising tensions between the paramilitary leader and senior defense officials, Prigozhin had refrained from criticizing the Kremlin and Putin directly.

Russia has heavily relied on the Wagner group in its war efforts, but a rift has developed between Moscow and the Wagner fighters. Prigozhin previously expressed discontent over inadequate ammunition deliveries to his forces and criticized the defense officials’ strategy in Ukraine.

The emergence of the mercenary rebellion coincides with Ukraine’s incremental reclamation of Russian-occupied territory in its counteroffensive. The fighting has escalated, although Kyiv’s advancements have been limited thus far.

— CNBC’s Holly Ellyatt contributed.