Putin issues first statement since Wagner mutiny, congratulates industrial forum participants

Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 26 issued via the Kremlin website his first statement since the Wagner mercenary group mutiny, congratulating participants of an industrial forum.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 26 issued via the Kremlin website his first statement since the Wagner mercenary group mutiny, congratulating participants of an industrial forum.

Earlier today, the Russian capital Moscow lifted an “anti-terrorist” security regime it had imposed over the weekend when mutinous Wagner mercenaries threatened to storm the city.

The city’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, announced the decision on his Telegram account, thanking Muscovites for their “calm and understanding” during the crisis.

Also Read | Russia’s Prigozhin remains under investigation for mutiny

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu also made his first public appearance since the mercenary uprising demanded his ouster, inspecting troops in Ukraine in a video released by his ministry.

The rebellion ended on Saturday when Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered his troops back. The Kremlin said it had made a deal that the mercenary chief will move to Belarus and receive an amnesty, along with his soldiers.

The mutiny marked the biggest challenge to President Vladimir Putin in more than 20 years of rule.