Moscow yesterday made an effort to show a return to business as usual after a weekend mutiny by mercenary troops threatened to undermine Russian President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power.
Putin did not personally address the crisis, but made a video speech to a youth forum dubbed the “Engineers of the Future” and praised industry for overcoming “severe external challenges.”
The Kremlin said that Putin had spoken to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi by phone and had received Tehran’s “full support” in connection with the mutiny. Putin also received a call from Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who also expressed his backing, the Kremlin said.
Photo: EPA-EFE / Russian Ministry of Defense
Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu, one of the main targets of Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin’s revolt, appeared in more pre-recorded footage on state television, apparently visiting troops in Ukraine.
Officials in Moscow and in the Voronezh region south of the capital lifted “anti-terrorist” emergency security measures imposed to protect the capital from rebel assault. Prigozhin was last seen on Saturday leaving the southern city of Rostov-on-Don in an armed Wagner convoy, and his location and that of the bulk of his as yet still mobilized and equipped private army was unclear.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin proclaimed the situation in the city “stable,” and thanked Muscovites for their “calm and understanding” during the crisis.
On Saturday, with Wagner columns bearing down on the capital and clashing with regular forces in Voronezh, bordering Ukraine, a “counterterrorist” regime had been ordered.
However, Russia’s operation in Ukraine continued through the crisis, as Shoigu — whom Prigozhin had threatened to overthrow — was at pains to demonstrate.
He appeared yesterday on state television visiting a Russian command bunker in Ukraine and flying in a helicopter to inspect troops battling an Ukrainian counteroffensive.
During the meeting, the minister highlighted “great efficiency in the detection and destruction” of Ukraine’s weapons systems and soldiers, the defense ministry said. It was not possible to independently confirm whether the report had been filmed before or after the Wagner revolt.
Ukrainian military leaders insisted they were making progress in a multidirection offensive targeting Russian lines in the south and east of the country.
“We are knocking the enemy out of his positions on the flanks of the city of Bakhmut,” ground force commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
“Ukraine is regaining its territory. We are moving forward,” he said.
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