Putin denounces Wagner's entry into Rostov as an act of "betrayal" and a "stab" at Russia

MADRID, 24 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has denounced this Saturday an act of "treason" after the entry of the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeni Prigozhin, in the Russian city of Rostov, headquarters of the southern command of the Russian Army, which the president has described as an act of rebellion and a "stab in the back" to the troops and people of Russia.

In his first appearance after the start of the incidents last night, Putin did not identify Prigozhin by name and wanted to distinguish Wagner's forces, by asking "those who have been pushed to provoke this military rebellion" to depose arms in what he has denounced as an "internal riot" and, above all, a "stab" for the Russian troops and for the people in the middle of the war in Ukraine.

"Any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood as a nation; it is a blow to Russia, to our people, and to the actions we are taking to protect our homeland," he said.

"Our actions to defend the homeland from this threat will be very harsh, and those responsible will be brought to justice," said the Russian president, who nevertheless confirmed that the situation in Rostov is "difficult" and that his forces are trying Now stabilize the situation.