The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, published the first statement since the beginning of the events with the Wagner PMC on his Telegram channel. He said that the Chechen fighters "went into the zone of tension" and that "the rebellion must be suppressed."
“What is happening is not an ultimatum to the Ministry of Defense. This is a challenge to the state, and against this challenge it is necessary to rally around the national leader: the military, security forces, governors, and the civilian population.
The fighters of the Ministry of Defense and the Russian Guard in the Chechen Republic have already left for the zones of tension. We will do everything to preserve the unity of Russia and protect its statehood!
The rebellion must be crushed, and if tough measures are necessary for this, then we are ready!” Kadyrov wrote.
Chechen human rights activist Abubakar Yangulbaev told The Insider that, according to his information, a small number of Kadyrovites, 120-130 people, were sent to Moscow two days ago. “And yesterday they also sent a larger number. The number was not specified, but I believe it is sufficient,” he said.
Apart from the fact that a contingent was sent there from Chechnya and Belgorod, there is nothing else. But this is in pieces, not all at once.
Earlier, Vladimir Putin made a similar statement. He called the actions of Yevgeny Prigozhin a betrayal and betrayal of the country, the people and the fighters of the Wagner PMC. He promised that all who embarked on the path of rebellion "will suffer inevitable punishment."
“Internal turmoil is a mortal threat to our statehood. And our actions will be tough. All those who consciously embarked on the path of betrayal will suffer inevitable punishment. They will answer before the law and before our people. The armed forces have received appropriate orders,” Putin said.
He also added that "decisive actions will be taken to stabilize the situation in Rostov-on-Don." According to him, the situation there "remains difficult – the work of civil and military authorities is practically blocked."
Putin did not mention Prigozhin's name in his appeal, but he did mention the "heroes of Wagner". He called on the Wagnerites to "stop participating in criminal activities."