Russian Invasion

Vladimir Putin addresses the nation on Saturday. AP  

 

Russian Invasion|Russian Reactions  

Putin: The Wagner group has stabbed us in the back - the Russian army's response will be harsh  

 

The Wagner group, with its rebellion, has committed treason and has stabbed the Russian people in the back. That's what Vladimir Putin said during a four-minute speech televised in Russia on Saturday morning. 

 

- Anyone who has taken up arms against the army is a traitor, said the president. Putin drew parallels to the Russian Revolution of 1917, which took place during the First World War. 

 

- We will not let it happen again. We will protect both our people and our country from all threats. The Russian army has been ordered to "neutralize" those responsible for the uprising and to stabilize the situation in the city of Rostov-na-Donu, where Wagner has taken control of all military facilities.  

- As president, commander-in-chief and citizen of Russia, I will do everything to defend the country.

 

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Details: Russian army in battles in Voronezh  

 

The Russian army is now acting against the Wagner group's rebellion and is taking "necessary military measures" in the Voronezh region. This is stated by the governor according to several media.  

 

Earlier on Saturday morning, information came that Wagner had taken control of all military facilities in Voronezh. The information has not been confirmed by independent media.  

 

Voronezh is about 50 miles south of Moscow. 

 

Yevgeny Prigozhin. AP  

 

Russian invasionWagner rebellion  

Prigozhin hits back: "No one in Wagner intends to back down"  

 

Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has no plans to back down, despite the harsh words from Russian President Vladimir Putin. In his televised address, Putin called the rebels "traitors" and called on them to lay down their arms. 

 

- No one in Wagner has any plans to turn himself in, Prigozhin says according to Reuters, adding that Putin's treason accusations are incorrect.  

 

He calls Wagner "Russian patriots" who are looking for a new military leadership. 

 

- We do not want Russia to have to be dragged along with corruption, lies and bureaucracy.  

 

Ramzan Kadyrov, AP file photo  

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response 

Kadyrov: Chechen forces on the way to assist  

 

Chechen forces stand ready to assist the Russian army in putting down the armed rebellion of the Wagner group. This is what Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov says, according to Reuters.  

 

On Telegram, Kadyrov says Chechen forces are moving toward the "zone of tension" and will act to defend Russia's forces and integrity.