Putin, Prigozhin speak out for the first time since Wagner revolt | DW News

Russian President Vladimir Putin has addressed his country, thanking citizens for their unity, following the aborted revolt by the Wagner mercenary group. Putin said he would honor his promise to allow Wagner fighters to relocate to Belarus if they wanted - where Wagner’s commander Yevgeny Prigozhin is believed to be in exile. Or Putin said soldiers could also sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry. He did not mention Prigozhin himself. Earlier the mercenary leader said his actions had highlighted weaknesses in Russia’s security. The man who launched an extraordinary revolt in Russia over the weekend and then suddenly called it off has spoken out. Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group, released a defiant 11-minute audio message on Monday justifying his actions. In it, he said he wanted to protest the Russian government, not overthrow it, and that his actions had highlighted the weakness in Russia’s security. Subscribe: For more news go to: Follow DW on social media: ►Facebook: ►Twitter: ►Instagram: ►Twitch: Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: #Russia #Putin #Prigozhin