English subtitles for clip: File:Putin addresses the military mutiny of the Wagner Group.webm
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1 00:00:00,319 --> 00:00:06,800 I am addressing citizens of Russia, the personnel of the Armed Forces, 2 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:9,500 law enforcement agencies and security services, 3 00:00:9,500 --> 00:00:15,700 and the soldiers and commanders who are now fighting in their combat positions, 4 00:00:15,700 --> 00:00:23,160 repulsing enemy attacks and doing it heroically – I know this as I spoke 5 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:27,199 once again with the commanders of all sections of the frontline last night. 6 00:00:27,199 --> 00:00:34,040 I am also addressing those who were dragged into this criminal adventure through deceit or threats 7 00:00:34,040 --> 00:00:40,320 and pushed onto the path of a grave crime – an armed mutiny. 8 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:46,379 Today, Russia is waging a tough struggle for its future, repelling 9 00:00:46,379 --> 00:00:51,360 the aggression of neo-Nazis and their patrons. Directed against us is practically 10 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:58,379 the entire military, economic and informational machine of the West. We are fighting for the lives 11 00:00:58,379 --> 00:01:03,899 and security of our people, for our sovereignty and independence, 12 00:01:03,899 --> 00:01:11,100 for the right to be and remain Russia, a state with a thousand-year history. 13 00:01:11,100 --> 00:01:18,060 This battle, when the fate of our nation is being decided, requires consolidation of all forces. 14 00:01:18,060 --> 00:01:24,259 It requires unity, consolidation and a sense of responsibility, and everything that weakens us, 15 00:01:24,259 --> 00:01:33,000 any strife that our external enemies can use and do so to subvert us from within, must be discarded. 16 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:39,060 Therefore, any actions that split our nation are essentially a betrayal 17 00:01:39,060 --> 00:01:44,640 of our people, of our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the frontline. 18 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:48,900 This is a knife in the back of our country and our people. 19 00:01:48,900 --> 00:01:56,500 A blow like this was dealt to Russia in 1917, when the country was fighting in World War I. 20 00:01:56,500 --> 00:02:02,700 But the victory was stolen from it: intrigues, squabbles and politicking behind the backs 21 00:02:02,700 --> 00:02:09,060 of the army and the nation turned into the greatest turmoil, the destruction of the army 22 00:02:09,060 --> 00:02:12,379 and the collapse of the state, and the loss of vast territories, 23 00:02:12,379 --> 00:02:15,920 ultimately leading to the tragedy of the civil war. 24 00:02:15,920 --> 00:02:20,400 Russians were killing Russians and brothers were killing brothers, 25 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:29,099 while all sorts of political adventurers and foreign forces profited from the situation 26 00:02:29,099 --> 00:02:33,400 by tearing the country apart to divide it. We will not allow this to happen again. 27 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:38,580 We will protect our people and our statehood from any threats, 28 00:02:38,580 --> 00:02:42,660 including from internal betrayal. 29 00:02:42,660 --> 00:02:46,640 What we are facing is essentially a betrayal. 30 00:02:46,640 --> 00:02:54,640 Inflated ambitions and personal interests have led to treason – treason against our country, 31 00:02:54,640 --> 00:02:59,160 our people and the common cause which Wagner Group soldiers and commanders 32 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:03,860 were fighting and dying for, shoulder to shoulder, together with our other units and troops. 33 00:03:03,860 --> 00:03:09,920 The heroes who liberated Soledar and Artyomovsk, towns and villages in Donbass, 34 00:03:09,920 --> 00:03:15,659 fought and gave their lives for Novorossiya and the unity of the Russian world. 35 00:03:15,659 --> 00:03:22,260 Their memory and glory have also been betrayed by those who are attempting to stage a revolt 36 00:03:22,260 --> 00:03:27,900 and are pushing the country towards anarchy and fratricide - 37 00:03:27,900 --> 00:03:31,019 and ultimately, towards defeat and surrender. 38 00:03:31,019 --> 00:03:40,440 Once again, any internal revolt is a deadly threat to our statehood and our nation. 39 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:46,560 It is a blow to Russia, to our people. Our actions to defend the Fatherland 40 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:51,900 from this threat will be harsh. All those who have consciously 41 00:03:51,900 --> 00:03:56,760 chosen the path of betrayal, planned an armed mutiny and taken the path of blackmail 42 00:03:56,760 --> 00:04:01,860 and terrorism, will inevitably be punished 43 00:04:01,860 --> 00:04:06,980 and will answer before the law and our people. 44 00:04:06,980 --> 00:04:14,400 The Armed Forces and other government agencies have received the necessary orders. 45 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:18,858 Additional counterterrorism measures are now in effect in Moscow, the Moscow Region 46 00:04:18,858 --> 00:04:23,759 and several other regions. 47 00:04:23,759 --> 00:04:28,280 Resolute action will also be taken to stabilise the situation in Rostov-on-Don. It remains difficult; 48 00:04:28,280 --> 00:04:34,560 in effect, the work of civil and military authorities has been blocked. 49 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:37,800 As the President of Russia 50 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:43,580 and Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and as a citizen of Russia, I will take every effort to defend the country 51 00:04:43,580 --> 00:04:50,699 and protect the constitutional order as well as the lives, security and freedom of our citizens. 52 00:04:50,699 --> 00:04:58,460 Those who staged the mutiny and took up arms against their comrades – 53 00:04:58,460 --> 00:05:03,060 they have betrayed Russia and will be brought to account. 54 00:05:03,060 --> 00:05:08,340 I urge those who are being dragged into this crime not to make a fatal 55 00:05:08,340 --> 00:05:17,479 and tragic mistake but make the only right choice: to stop taking part in criminal actions. 56 00:05:17,479 --> 00:05:23,639 I am certain that we will preserve and defend what we hold dear and sacred, 57 00:05:23,639 --> 00:05:32,360 and together with our Motherland we will overcome any hardships and become even stronger.