Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the founder of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, five days after the armed uprising against the Russian military leadership.
According to Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the meeting lasted “nearly three hours,” and Putin gave an “assessment” of the June 24 unrest and listened to Wagner commanders, who assured him that they supported him and that they would “continue to fight” for Russia.
“The rally was held in the Kremlin and lasted almost three hours,” Peskov said, adding that 35 people took part in it.
“The only thing we can say is that the President gave his assessment of the actions of the Wagnerites at the front during the Special Military Operation (in Ukraine), and also gave his assessment of the events of June 24 (the day of the rebellion),” Peskov told reporters.
“The commanders presented their version of what happened (June 24). They stressed that they are staunch supporters and soldiers of the head of state and the supreme commander in chief. They also stated that they are ready to continue the fight for the Motherland,” he said. explained.
According to statements by a Kremlin spokesman, the mercenary leader said the mutiny was not aimed at overthrowing the government, but at holding army commanders accountable for what he considers mistakes and unprofessional actions.
Recall that on June 24, Russia was declared on alert after a group of Wagner mercenaries announced the start of a rebellion against the country itself. It was about some restrictions with the Ministry of Defense, which neglected the delivery of weapons and ammunition to combatants.
On the same day, Prigozhin admitted that he would retreat with the troops in order to avoid bloodshed.