DEVELOPING STORY: Wagner mutiny ‘deadly threat’ to Russia: Putin

TOPSHOT – Russiaís President Vladimir Putin delivers a video address, on June 24, 2023, as Wagner fighters stage rebellion. President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation, the Kremlin said on June 24, 2023, as Russia faced a rebellion by the Wagner mercenary group that has vowed to topple Moscow’s military leadership. The Russian President vows to punish ‘traitors’ from Wagner rebellion. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / SPUTNIK / AFP)

MOSCOW, June 24, 2023 (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin on Saturday described efforts by the Wagner military group to unseat the country’s top brass as a “deadly threat” to Russia and urged the country to unite.

“Any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood and to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia and to our people,” Putin said in an address broadcast on television, adding: “This battle, when the fate of our people is being decided, requires the unification of all forces and unity.”