Russia coup: Putin’s aircraft leaves Moscow amid ‘armed riot’ inside Russian army

The aircraft belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin departed from Moscow to St. Petersburg early Saturday because the Kremlin makes an attempt to quiet an “armed riot” from Wagner mercenaries threatening to weaken the nation’s offensive within the Ukrainian warfare.

The departure comes simply hours after mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin led his troops out of Ukraine and right into a key metropolis south of Moscow, marking the largest menace to Putin’s management in over twenty years in energy. Putin responded to the transfer on Friday, calling the rebellion "a stab within the again.”

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Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky responded to the interior riot on Saturday, criticizing the "stupidity” of Russia’s authorities and claiming its “weak spot” has been uncovered by the rebellion.

The revolt comes after Prigozhin accused the Russian army of attacking his Wagner army forces, vowing to retaliate in opposition to the Kremlin. In a speech to supporters on Friday, Putin known as the rebellion a "betrayal" and "treason."

"All those that ready the riot will undergo inevitable punishment," Putin stated. "The armed forces and different authorities businesses have obtained the required orders."

Nevertheless, Prigozhin has described himself as a patriot.

"Concerning the betrayal of the motherland, the president was deeply mistaken,” he stated in an audio message on his Telegram channel. “We're patriots of our homeland.”

The Wagner forces have performed a key function within the Russian offensive of the Ukrainian warfare by capturing the jap metropolis of Bakhmut, the place the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place. However Prigozhin has more and more criticized the army brass, accusing it of incompetence and of ravenous his troops of munitions.