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In an unprecedented challenge to Vladimir Putin’s two-decade reign, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner paramilitary group, has launched an insurrection, seizing control of military facilities in two Russian cities and threatening to march on Moscow. Putin, in a stern address to the nation, warned of severe punishment for those on the “path of treason” or armed rebellion. As the world watches, Russia teeters on the brink of a major internal crisis.

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, finds himself in the midst of the greatest threat to his authority since he assumed power. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner paramilitary group and a one-time ally of Putin, has launched an insurrection, seizing control of military facilities in two Russian cities and threatening to march his troops towards Moscow. This audacious move has thrown the country into a state of crisis, with tensions escalating rapidly.

In a televised address to the nation, Putin condemned those on the “path of treason” or armed rebellion, promising harsh punishment. He described the insurrection as a “stab in the back of our country and our people,” and pledged decisive action against the rebels. However, Prigozhin, in a defiant response on Telegram, stated that Putin was “deeply mistaken,” and that his forces were patriots fighting for their Motherland.

The Wagner Group, under Prigozhin’s command, claimed to have taken control of military facilities in the cities of Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh. The governor of the Voronezh region, Alexander Gusev, confirmed that the Russian military was engaging in “combat measures” in the area. This escalation represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times, according to Britain’s Ministry of Defense.

The loyalty of Russia’s security forces, especially the Russian National Guard, will be key to how the crisis plays out, the British intelligence report stated. The Wagner Group’s insurrection has seemingly taken Moscow by surprise, with some Russian forces reportedly remaining passive or even acquiescing to Wagner.

In his address, Putin described the situation in Rostov as an armed uprising, stating that the work of civil and military administration was basically blocked. He promised “decisive action,” butthe specifics of this action remain unclear.

Prigozhin, who has been critical of the Russian military hierarchy since the war in Ukraine started, has now seemingly turned against Putin himself. He accused Moscow of invading Ukraine under false pretenses devised by the Russian Ministry of Defense and claimed that Russia is actually losing ground on the battlefield. This marks a significant shift from his previous criticism, which was directed towards the defense minister, Shoigu.

The escalation came after Prigozhin accused Russian forces of striking a Wagner military camp and killing a significant number of his fighters – a claim Russia’s Ministry of Defense has denied. In response, Prigozhin announced his forces were moving into the Rostov region, ready to “destroy everything” in their way.

The Russian domestic intelligence service, the Federal Security Service (FSB), responded by urging Wagner fighters to detain their leader and opening a criminal case against Prigozhin, accusing him of “calling for an armed rebellion.” Meanwhile, authorities in Moscow have tightened security measures.

Many officials have rallied to Putin’s side. Russian intelligence official, Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseev, posted a video about Prigozhin’s actions, describing it as a coup attempt. He stated that only the president has the right to appoint the top leadership of the armed forces, and Prigozhin was encroaching on this authority.

However, Prigozhin denied his acts were a coup, saying instead they were a “march of justice” that would “not interfere with the troops in any way.” He also claimed that Russian military personnel are joining the Wagner Group as they greet their convoy, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

As the coup continues, reports suggest that Putin and other officials are leaving Moscow and heading to Saint Petersburg. This information, however, has been refuted by Putin’s Press Secretary, creating a rare disconnect between the Kremlin and the government-controlled media outlet, TASS.

As the insurrection continues, Putin’s grip on power appears increasingly precarious. The Wagner Group’s audacious power play, led by Prigozhin, threatens to destabilize Russia’s political landscape. The world watches with bated breath as this unprecedented political drama unfolds. Will Putin’s reign withstand this internal rebellion, or will Prigozhin’s “march of justice” succeed? The future of Russia hangs in the balance.