Putin Addressed the Russian People on the Armed Insurrection

June 24, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)—In an address to the people of Russia this morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the insurrection ostensibly led by PMC Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin an armed mutiny against the state.

“Today, Russia is waging a tough struggle for its future, repelling the aggression of neo-Nazis and their patrons,” Putin said.

“The entire military, economic and informational machine of the West is directed against us. We are fighting for the lives and security of our people, for our sovereignty and independence, for the right to be and remain Russia, a state with a thousand-year history.

“This battle, when the fate of our nation is being decided, requires consolidation of all forces. It requires unity, consolidation and a sense of responsibility, and everything that weakens us, any strife that our external enemies can use and do so to subvert us from within, must be discarded.

“Therefore, any actions that split our nation are essentially a betrayal of our people, of our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the frontline. This is a knife in the back of our country and our people.”

Putin invoked the image of the 1917 revolution and civil war that followed as a potential risk in the current circumstances but one that must be avoided. “A blow like this was dealt to Russia in 1917, when the country was fighting in World War I,” he said.

“But the victory was stolen from it: intrigues, squabbles and politicking behind the backs of the army and the nation turned into the greatest turmoil, the destruction of the army and the collapse of the state, and the loss of vast territories, ultimately leading to the tragedy of the civil war. Russians were killing Russians and brothers were killing brothers, while all sorts of political adventurers and foreign forces profited from the situation by tearing the country apart to divide it.”

“We will not allow this to happen again,” Putin vowed. “We will protect our people and our statehood from any threats, including from internal betrayal.”

“Those who staged the mutiny and took up arms against their comrades—they have betrayed Russia and will be brought to account,” Putin concluded. “I urge those who are being dragged into this crime not to make a fatal and tragic mistake but make the only right choice: to stop taking part in criminal actions.”