What did Vladimir Putin say? Russian leader calls Wagner Group move a ‘betrayal’ in new speech

Head of the mercenary company, the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, called on his troops to take part in a  “march of justice” on Moscow after blaming Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for an alleged missile attack on its Bakhmut training camp in Ukraine, which killed more than 50 soldiers. Russian security services reacted to the threat immediately by opening a criminal investigation into Prigozhin - calling for his arrest on charges of inciting an "armed rebellion".

As the Wagner Group claimed to take control of key military sites in Russia, PresidentVladimir Putin addressed the nation, describing the rebellion as a “betrayal” and promising to “defend Russia at all costs.” In the pre-recorded address, he said: “It’s the equivalent to armed mutiny. Russia will defend itself and repel this move.