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Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation, in Moscow on Saturday. Putin vowed to defend the country and its people from an armed uprising that was apparently taking place. The rebellion was led by Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. 

During Putin’s talk columns of mercenary soldiers appeared to be heading towards Moscow. An estimated 25,000-armed men, many of them were drafted from Russian prisons, were largely unchallenged.

Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to strike back hard against Prigozhin, who announced the coup on social media. And was leading the assault on his own government.

In his remarks from the Kremlin, Putin denounced Prigozhin’s “criminal adventure” as an “armed mutiny” that would be met with a response from regular Russian troops.

“Any actions that split our nation are essentially a betrayal of our people, of our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the frontline. This is a knife in the back of our country and our people,” Putin said, invoking the bloody legacy of the Bolshevik revolution of 1917.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said on Saturday his forces were ready to help put down a mutiny by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and to use harsh methods if necessary.

Armed uprising U-turns to Belarus

In a bizarre twist, the mercenary commander who had ordered his troops to march on Moscow abruptly reversed course.  And just hours after Putin’s promising harsh and quick payback to the Wagner Group, the Kremlin announced that Wagner will move to neighboring Belarus and not face any prosecution. 

The uprising is said to represent the most significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov issued a statement saying all charges against Yevgeny Prigozhin will be dropped. And troops who joined him also will not be prosecuted. Meanwhile, Wagner Group fighters who did not take part in the uprising will be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry.

And just hours before

Yevgeny Prigozhin reportedly gained control of at least some part of the city of Rostov which has a population of 1 million.

 Online footage online reportedly showed Wagner troops in armored vehicles facing no resistance as they gained control of the Russian military headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov.

 This area is a massive logistical hub for the Russia-Ukraine war where approximately half of the ammunition and resources are held.