Wagner mutiny puts Putin’s Russia in its worst political crisis since Soviet Union fell

LONDON – Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to put down the “military mutiny” facing his government, as units belonging to the Wagner group of mercenaries have abandoned their positions on the Ukrainian front and claim to be advancing on Moscow to overthrow Russia’s top military command.

“Those who prepared the military mutiny, who raise weapons against combat brothers, have betrayed Russia and will pay for this,” Mr Putin warned in a televised speech to the nation on Saturday, announcing that he has placed both Moscow and “a number of other regions” under martial law to crush the mutiny.