The attempt to stir up Russian society has failed, said Sergey Naryshkin, head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service.
"At the moment, it is clear that the attempt to rock society, awaken the darkest aspirations in it, ignite the fire of a fratricidal civil war has failed. The Russians have demonstrated civic conscience, an ability to distinguish truth from lies," Naryshkin emphasized.
He further elaborated that an attempted mutiny, "a betrayal, undertaken behind the back of a fighting army," is the most terrible crime that cannot be justified by any past accomplishments.
On Friday, footage and audio attributed to the Wagner group's leader Yevgeny Prigozhin surfaced online alleging that the forces of the Russian Defense Ministry had launched a "missile attack" at a Wagner camp. Following the development, a criminal case has been opened against Prigozhin for organizing an armed rebellion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the rebel's actions a criminal venture, "a stab in the back of Russia and a betrayal" associated with exorbitant ambitions and personal interests. All those who embarked on the path of betrayal, blackmail and terrorist methods will suffer inevitable punishment, the Russian Armed Forces have received the necessary orders, the head of state added.
According to Putin, the situation in Rostov-on-Don remains difficult and the work of civil and military authorities is blocked. In order to prevent possible terrorist attacks on the territory of Moscow city, as well as Moscow and Voronezh regions, a counter-terrorist operation regime has been introduced.