A civil war has broken out in Russia with Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin leading a convoy towards Moscow and loyal parts of the Russian military attacking it.
Reports are scattered and unreliable but helicopters are engaging the column and images suggest three of them were shot down. There are scattered videos of battles along the highways and other videos suggesting that other parts of the Russian military have switched sides.
“We will destroy everything around us, we are all ready to die – all 25 thousand, and then another 25 thousand, because the Russian people must be liberated,” said Prigozhin who regularly publishes audio statements on Telegram.
Putin addressed the nation and here’s the full text:
I appeal to the citizens of Russia, to the personnel of the armed forces, law enforcement and security services, fighters and commanders currently fighting on their positions, repelling the enemy attacks, doing it heroically.
“I spoke to the commanders in all directions last night. I appeal also to those who were deceptively pulled into the criminal adventure, pushed towards a serious crime of an armed mutiny.
“Russia today is leading the most difficult war for its future, repelling the aggression of neo-Nazis and their handlers. Against us, the whole military, economical and information machines of the west are turned. We fight for the lives and security of our people. For our sovereignty and independence. The right to remain Russia, a state with 1,000 years of history.
“It’s a battle where the fate of our people is decided and requires uniting of all our forces, unity, consolidation and responsibility. Everything else that weakens us must be shoved to the side.
“Our external enemies are using any arguments to undermine us from within. Thus, actions splitting our unity is a betrayal of our people, our combat brothers who fight now at the frontline.
“It’s a strike in the back of our country and our people. Exactly this strike was dealt in 1917 when the country was in world war one, but its victory was stolen. Intrigues, and arguments behind the army’s back turned out to be the greatest catastrophe, destruction of the army and the state, loss of huge territories, resulting in a tragedy and a civil war. Russians were killing Russians, brothers killing brothers. But the beneficiaries were various political chevaliers of fortune and foreign powers who divided the country, and tore it into parts.
“We will not let this happen. We will protect our people and state from any threats, including internal betrayal. “What we’re facing is exactly internal betrayal. Extraordinary ambitions and personal interests led to treason. Treason of their own country and people and of the case that fighters of Wagner were dying for alongside our soldiers. Heroes who liberated Soledar and Artemivsk, towns and cities of the Donbas. They fought and were giving lives to Novorossiya and the unity of the Russian world.
“Their name and glory were also betrayed by those who are trying to organise the mutiny, pushing the country into anarchy and brother-killing, to a defeat, in the end, and capitulation.
“Repeat: any internal mutiny is a deadly threat to our state, to us as a nation. It’s a strike against our nation, our people. And our actions to defend the fatherland from such a threat will be brutal. Anyone who consciously went on the path of betrayal, who prepared the armed mutiny, went on the path of blackmail and terrorist actions, will take an inevitable punishment. They will answer to the law and our people.
“The armed forces and other departments were properly instructed. Extra anti-terrorist measures are now being implemented in Moscow, Moscow region, and a number of other regions. Decisive actions will be taken to stabilise the situation in Rostov-on-Don.
“It remains difficult. The operation of civilian and military control departments is practically blocked. As a president of Russia and the supreme commander, as a citizen of Russia, I will do everything to defend the country, protect the constitution, lives and safety, liberty of the citizens.
“Those who prepared the military mutiny, who raise weapons against combat brothers, have betrayed Russia, and will pay for this. And those who are being pulled into the crime, I’m asking to not make this crucial, tragic, unrepeatable mistake. Do the one right choice – stop participating in criminal actions.
“I believe that we will defend and preserve what’s sacred for us. And together with the motherland, we will overcome all challenges, and become even stronger.”
This is a truly precarious moment in world history. Putin’s repeated references to Russian history and the survival of the statemake me fearful of how far he will go to defend his position.
Initially, Wagner comments were directed at the Russian defense ministry and possible change there but they’re increasingly directed at Putin himself.
Obviously, this is a mullti-faceted development but it’s an incredible development for Ukraine. So far there are no indications of change at the front lines but you have to imagine that Ukraine will regroup for a stronger offensive, especially if Wagner forces (and those who are joining them) withdraw.
The scope of possibilities here is too wide to even contemplate but I’d much rather be holding safe haven assets when the market opens.