The head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov described the armed rebellion of the Wagner group as a betrayal and a challenge to the state.
"All this is a knife in the back and a real armed mutiny. It is a challenge to the state, a call that requires everyone to rally around the national leader: the military, the security forces, the governors and the civilians," the head of Chechnya wrote on his Telegram channel.
According to Kadyrov, Chechen soldiers have already left for the tension zones to "preserve the unity of Russia and protect its statehood".
"The mutiny must be quelled, and if drastic measures must be taken, we are prepared to [take them]," Kadyrov wrote.
The head of Chechnya also voiced his support for Russia's President Vladimir Putin, stating that "Putin is the supreme commander, elected by the people, who knows the whole situation down to the smallest detail better than any strategist or businessman".
Kadyrov also appealed to the soldiers in the special operation zone in Ukraine with a request not to give in to any provocation.
"Whatever goals and promises you may be given, the security of the state and the cohesion of Russian society are of the utmost importance at this moment," Kadyrov concluded.
On Friday, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case into the incitement to armed mutiny over statements made on behalf of Prigozhin.
The FSB said that there was a threat of escalation on Russian territory.
Putin said that all those responsible for the attempted mutiny would face inevitable punishment, and would be held accountable before the law and the people.