Putin vows to crush ‘armed mutiny’ after mercenaries seize southern Russian city

[Mike J]

Are we looking at beginning of a coup?   

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia – Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to crush what he called an armed mutiny after the private army of mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin seized control of a southern city as part of an attempt to oust the military leadership.

In Russia’s first armed insurrection since the Chechen wars 20 years ago, heavily armed fighters from Prigozhin’s Wagner militia were in control of the streets of Rostov-on-Don, a city of more than a million people close to the border with Ukraine.

Prigozhin said he had captured the headquarters of Russia’s Southern Military District there after leading his forces into Russia from Ukraine. The city serves as the main rear logistical hub for Russia’s invasion force.

Residents milled about, filming on mobile phones, as Wagner fighters in armored vehicles and huge battle tanks took up positions in the city center.

[Kingpin]

2 hours ago, Mike J said:

Are we looking at beginning of a coup?  

Nope.

https://twitter.com/runews/status/1672721033051226117

[BrettGC]

15 minutes ago, Kingpin said:

Nope.

https://twitter.com/runews/status/1672721033051226117

Ok, that made me laugh, a lot .  Hat's off to you sir. 

[OnMyWay]

No matter what angle you look at it from, or what you believe on who/why/how it started, this is scary stuff.  There are so many possibilities for things to go South quickly, both in Russia and Ukraine, or ????  I expect the stock market will dive on Monday.  The markets don't like uncertainty.

[OnMyWay]

Apparently, the Wagner Group has turned around and is headed back to Ukraine.

[jimeve]

16 minutes ago, OnMyWay said:

Apparently, the Wagner Group has turned around and is headed back to Ukraine.

Going to Belarus with a full pardon from Putin.

[Gator]

22 minutes ago, jimeve said:

Going to Belarus with a full pardon from Putin.

But only after Pukin threatened to nuke Rostov. 

[jimeve]

12 minutes ago, Gator said:

But only after Pukin threatened to nuke Rostov. 

Must have missed that.... Russia mutiny: Rebel Wagner leader 'to move to Belarus' after calling off advance on Moscow to avoid 'bloodshed'

[Guy F.]

Prigozhin will stay away from high windows if he knows what's good for him. It will be difficult to avoid the polonium though.

[JJReyes]

The behind-the-scenes intrigue must be fascinating.  One theory is someone higher up the food chain (the coup leader) backed out at the last minute.  Another is certain military units were expected to join the mutiny, but they remained on the sideline waiting to determine which side would win. 

The one I like is Putin as chess grandmaster organized a fake coup to determine who will become disloyal by joining the Wagner group.  If I am wrong, Prigozhin is dead meat by agreeing on Belarus as his exile destination.