State channels and propagandists
One of the main propagandists of the Kremlin, the editor-in-chief of RT Margarita Simonyan, remained silent at the time of publication of the material.
Alexander Dugin, philosopher and political scientist
Dugin generally condemned the rebellion, although he added that he understood those who raised it in some way. “Is there truth among those who rebelled against injustice? I think they certainly also have a certain truth, ”Dugin said, explaining this opinion by the fact that the fighters lived for months at the front, where they faced the horrors of war, while representatives of the old Yeltsin liberal elite continued to enjoy life and go to restaurants. According to him, in order to save the country, it is now necessary to learn the lessons of 1917 and accept that order and loyalty to the Supreme Commander cannot be sacrificed.
“Our society lacks fundamental justice. <…> In a sense, the best is the enemy of the good. If we want to do it right now and immediately, and add to this our own political ambitions, then the most correct and just demand turns into its opposite <…> Any demands must be considered, they should have been considered long ago. Any claims, especially well-founded, serious ones, to this or that political course, to this or that political or statesman, of course, must be taken very seriously. But not under such pressure, not through such blackmail.”
Vladimir Solovyov, TV presenter
"Hard time . I didn't expect to live to see this. The country is at war. Now I am returning from Zaporozhye. I was, I saw with my own eyes our real heroes <…> Today, all the questions that I heard were about one thing: “What is happening at home, in the rear?” 25,000 people would be very useful at the front. March? The march is necessary. To Lvov, to Kyiv. And, if necessary, then even further <…> Are we really going to let the country lose in civil strife now? <…> Guys, come to your senses. The enemy is there, in Ukraine. Ukronazism must be fought. Stop before it's too late. The country would not be lost. There is nothing worse than a civil war."
Anton Krasovsky, propagandist
“ I personally have one President. And one Supreme. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. May God help him get through this."
Maxim Kononenko, propagandist
“You can, of course, understand Prigogine’s motivation . But you can’t understand one thing – how, during all this, this dude takes and arranges some kind of kitchen shit. Realizing at the same time that all our “Western partners” will ride this conflict and suck it out to the last. Forget about the bathyscaphe. Bandos is bandos. He is not interested in the strategic goal. He is only interested in the results of a specific disassembly, which is here and now. Of course, this demarche with the capture of Rostov (which, generally speaking, survived TWO occupations) will end sadly for him. If a sniper fucks him, I won't raise a stack for him. Even the day before yesterday he was a hero. Today he is a scoundrel and a traitor. And we will survive."
Yevgeny Poddubny, "military correspondent" of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company
“Prigozhin refused to obey the President and, in fact, openly announced a military rebellion and an attempt to organize an armed coup. Thus, he blocked almost all the ways for a peaceful resolution of the most difficult situation. The organizers of the campaign against Moscow are trying to turn the rebellion into a civil war <…> I remind you that external enemies are not capable of destroying Russia without internal unrest. Trouble is the only main condition for the success of the enemy.
Poddubny also called the video of the consequences of the missile strike staged, and Prigozhin's rebellion a well-planned operation and cold-blooded calculation "with a thorough information and psychological component." “Slogans about justice are a front and a simple manipulation that rebels always go for. Moreover, it is designed for both society and fighters. A separate and very important nuance. Only the state has the right to violence. As soon as people with “good” intentions try to take advantage of it, they become bandits.”
Andrey Rudenko, reporter for VGTRK
“Honestly, for myself, I can’t accept this fucking idea that Wagner took such a step … We have always discussed with each other with confidence the topic that if the “musicians” are in the direction, then there will definitely be a victory. And now these boys are hitting our rear. Question one: what are they trying to achieve? I am sure that even if Shoigu and Gerasimov fall into their hands, they will not stop there. But here I want to understand the main goal! Seizure of power in the country? So this is a movement against the people, because it was the people who elected the President.” Rudenko says that he has a lot of questions about the actions of the "Wagnerites", and expressed confidence that what is happening will lead to "irreparable consequences."
Other "patriots"
Igor Girkin (Strelkov)
“The Wagner mutiny began clearly prematurely. The front is not broken, ukry do not win. In this situation, mutiny means "stab in the back" and the army will not support it. The prematurity of the rebellion (which was clearly planned in advance) is caused by a simple fact: in the near future, Prigozhin would certainly be deprived of the main part of his army – to maintain even a 30,000-strong military group at his own expense, without the support of the state (read – funds and materials from the RF Ministry of Defense) “He definitely couldn’t have done it for more than a couple of months (and even then, it’s unlikely).”
Girkin says that he expected something like this, rather, in the fall against the backdrop of new defeats at the front: “Prigozhin’s actions are a real stab in the back and cannot be perceived differently by me. Not to mention the fact that his possible coming to power will immediately cause: a rebellion in Chechnya and the beginning of the 3rd Chechen campaign (inevitably); the very probable collapse of the front and the enemy's invasion of the Crimea, the fall of Donetsk and Lugansk; the beginning of the process of the collapse of the Russian Federation; a short, but very dirty and bloody period of the “dictatorship of the Latin American model”. Without rules and without laws – according to criminal "concepts". In his opinion , in such a situation, "every honest officer, mindful of the oath," is obliged to confront the rebels, regardless of how he treats the president, defense minister and others.
Vladislav Shurygin, military expert
“There will be no more statements by Prigozhin, his broadcasts, or links to broadcasts with him in my channel! He who raises weapons on his own is outlawed.
Pro-Kremlin celebrities
Singer Shaman
The performer did not take sides in the conflict and spoke neutrally: “Relatives,“ Moscow Graduation 2023 ”in the capital’s Gorky Park and on MUZ-TV will certainly take place – see you exactly in a week in the same place and at the same time. The poster of solo concerts remains unchanged. And yet – today we will definitely sing. Live with the whole country."
Oskar Kucera, TV presenter
“I look at my own comments, in other publications, except for Ukrainians, (not to be confused with Ukrainians), no one supports Prigozhin! Everyone understands that this is a betrayal! Evgeny Viktorovich, stop!!!
Lera Kudryavtseva, TV presenter
Kudryavtseva, who supports the war in Ukraine, refrained from supporting either side and said she did not know how to comment on what was happening: “Well, what is happening with us is fucked up. You understand? I promised my father not to swear. But that's complete bullshit. God forgive me."
Russian officials
Vladimir Putin, President
“Actions that split our unity are, in fact, apostasy from our people, from our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the front. This is a stab in the back to our country and our people <…> what we are faced with is precisely a betrayal. Exorbitant ambitions and personal interests led to treason. To betray our country, our people, and the cause for which, side by side with our other units and subunits, the soldiers and commanders of the Wagner group fought and died.
He called any internal turmoil a deadly threat to statehood and the nation: “This is a blow to Russia, to our people. And our actions to protect the Fatherland from such a threat will be tough. All those who deliberately embarked on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed rebellion, embarked on the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment, will answer both before the law and before our people. The one who organized and prepared the military rebellion, who raised arms against his comrades-in-arms, betrayed Russia. And they will answer for it."
Dmitry Medvedev
“Now the most important thing to defeat the external and internal enemy, hungry to tear our Motherland, to save our state, is to rally around the President, the Supreme Commander of the country's armed forces. Split and betrayal – the path to the greatest tragedy, a universal catastrophe. We won't allow it. The enemy will be defeated! Victory will be ours".
Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“We have one commander in chief . Not two, not three. One. And he urged everyone to unite. This is the main thing now. We all have our own attitude towards everything. But there come moments in history when one's personal needs to be put aside for later. Even if you think you're 100% right. Why? Yes, because if we do not unite now, if everyone is for himself or for his own vision of the situation, nothing will matter anymore.
Only unity. Unity under the banner of the commander-in-chief. The enemy is just waiting for our civil strife. Don't wait! <…> Today we are all tempted, testing our strength. Don't give in! Together with the President! God bless us!"
Ramzan Kadyrov, head of Chechnya
“Friends, the night turned out to be difficult and the flights did not give time to voice here my position on this vile betrayal! Everything that happens is a KNIFE IN THE BACK and a real military mutiny! I have repeatedly warned that war is not the time to voice personal grievances and resolve disputes in our rear. The rear must always be calm and reliable <…> History shows that such actions can lead to bloody consequences.
He stressed that only the Supreme Commander-in-Chief sees the whole situation and makes decisions "in a balanced, scrupulous manner." “There is no excuse for such actions! 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, the security forces, the governors, the civilian population <…> The rebellion must be suppressed, and if tough measures are necessary for this, then we are ready.” Kadyrov also added that the Chechen fighters of the Ministry of Defense and the National Guard have already left for "zones of tension" and will do everything to preserve the unity of Russia.
Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma
“The problems and troubles of the country have always occurred only because of betrayal, internal split and betrayal of the elites. Deputies of the State Duma, representing the interests of the citizens of the Russian Federation, stand for the consolidation of forces, support President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, our Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The Wagner fighters must make the only correct choice: to be with their people, on the side of the law, to protect the security and future of the Motherland, to follow the orders of the Supreme Commander. Anything else is a betrayal."
Valentina Matvienko, Chairman of the Federation Council
“The Federation Council, the chamber of regions, has the full support of the President, the guarantor of the Constitution, and a clear understanding of how important the responsible and consolidated position of the entire society, residents and leadership of all subjects of the Federation without exception is in the current situation. The strength of such a huge, multinational, multi-confessional country lies in unity based on the civic position of everyone, and in our historical intolerance of betrayal and provocateur.”
Andrei Turchak, Secretary of the General Council of United Russia
““United Russia” with the President ! <…> An armed rebellion is a stab in the back of the entire Russian people. This is treason. At a time when the country is waging a war for its existence, when the fate of the Russian world is at stake, it is impossible to think of a better “gift” for the enemy. Wagner, the enemy is not in Rostov, but behind the tape, where our guys at this moment are standing to death in oporniks. You, like no one else, must understand this.
Turchak also recalled the year 1917, when “the collapse of the country began not with rallies of liberals, not with a conspiracy of the world behind the scenes, but with“ patriotism ”, in the size of which both politicians and individual generals competed.” He expressed confidence that the people of Russia "have matured and are able to avoid the mistakes of the past."
Valery Fadeev, Chairman of the HRC, adviser to Putin
“There is and cannot be any ambiguity: the orders and instructions of the President of Russia, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief must be carried out unquestioningly. There are authorities whose orders and requirements are absolutely legal and must be followed. I hope that the fighters of Wagner PMC will prevail over reason and they will stop their illegal actions.”
Patriarch Kirill
“Military confrontation is a test in which we, even more than at other times, are called upon to carefully preserve national unity, pray to God, support the soldiers and each other with all our might. Today, when our brothers fight and die on the fronts, selflessly fulfilling their duty, when the enemies are making every effort to destroy Russia, any attempt to sow discord within the country is the greatest crime that has no justification <…> as the Primate of the Russian I urge the Orthodox Church to think again of those who, having taken up arms, are ready to direct them against their brethren. In the face of a common threat, one must maintain unity of mind, overcome grievances and personal ambitions. No matter how difficult it may sometimes be. I support the efforts of the Head of the Russian State aimed at preventing unrest in our country.”
Sergei Mironov, head of the Just Russia – For Truth faction in the State Duma
“Our country is fighting a war of survival. For your future! We do not have the slightest right to bring joy to the enemy with a conflict within the country. And, as the Supreme Commander said, any internal strife is a mortal threat to the existence of our country. And those who do this delay our victory <…> No one has the right to use the glory gained in the hardest battles for their own personal purposes that run counter to the interests of the Motherland. Today, personal insults are unacceptable! And those who, for some reason, may have been misled, should immediately stop the crimes. We need military force at the front! <…> Today we all need to be with our President, with our country, with our people.”
Dmitry Rogozin, ex-head of Roscosmos
“I know the situation at the front as well as Prigozhin and I have never hidden my position, but no matter how the armed rebellion is explained, it is still precisely an armed rebellion in the rear of a warring army. In war, you need to shove your political ambitions up your ass and support the front with all your might. Any attempt to weaken it is nothing but aiding the enemy.”
Foreign Politicians
Head of the so-called DNR Denis Pushilin
“Now the only right decision to achieve a comprehensive and much-needed victory is to rally around the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. Only in this way, by uniting all efforts, by uniting the whole country, can we move towards such a necessary victory. Any confrontations within never before and now will not be able to lead to the achievement of the set goals.
Head of the so-called "LNR" Leonid Pasechnik
“We are a single country , and we are with our President! Today, it is important to be guided only by the interests of the country, its inhabitants, and all disagreements must be forgotten before the Victory <…> I call on everyone who is being pushed onto the path of rebellion – not to carry out criminal orders, not to commit crimes against the people of Russia.
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
“Everyone who chooses the path of evil destroys himself. Sends military columns to destroy the life of another country – and cannot keep them from fleeing and betraying when life resists. He terrorizes with missiles, and when they are shot down, he humiliates himself in order to get Shaheda. He humiliates people and throws hundreds of thousands into the war – in order to finally barricade himself in the Moscow region from those whom he himself armed. Russia has long masked its weakness and the stupidity of its rule with propaganda. And now there is already so much chaos that not a single lie can hide it. And all this is one person who again and again scares us with the year 1917, although in general he is not capable of leading to anything else. The weakness of Russia is obvious. Full blown weakness. And the longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries on our soil, the more chaos, pain and problems it will get later. This is also obvious. Ukraine is able to protect Europe from the spread of Russian evil and chaos. We preserve our strength, unity and strength. All our commanders, all our warriors know what to do. Glory to Ukraine!".
Alexander Lukashenko
Lukashenka remains silent. He was one of the first people Putin called after the start of the rebellion. However, he did not make any statements. The Security Council of Belarus spoke out for him, noting that Minsk remains an ally of Russia: “Any provocation, any internal conflict in the military and political circles, in the information field and civil society is a gift to the collective West <…> There was nothing worse in the history of Russia than turmoil – destructive and meaningless in its essence <…> Similar to what is happening is not worth the consequences, the losses that emotional decisions and illegal actions can lead to. We call for the voice of reason."
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan
Tokayev spoke with Putin on the phone and called the ongoing events "Russia's internal affair." He added that the constitutional order and the rule of law are indispensable conditions for maintaining order in the country, the basis for the security of society and its successful development, the President of Kazakhstan stressed.
Шарль Мишель, глава Евросовета
«Внимательно следим за развитием ситуации в России. На связи с европейскими лидерами и партнерами по G7. Это точно внутренняя проблема России. Наша поддержка для Украины и Владимира Зеленского непоколебима».
Анналена Бербок, глава МИД Германии
«Со вчерашнего вечера мы очень внимательно следим за развитием событий в России и находимся в тесном контакте с нашими международными партнерами. Граждане Германии в России должны обязательно соблюдать наши инструкции по путешествиям и технике безопасности».
Реджеп Тайип Эрдоган, президент Турции
Президент Турецкой Республики выразил полную поддержку шагам российского руководства, заявили в Кремле. Позже канцелярия Эрдогана добавила , что Турция «готова внести свою лепту в скорейшее разрешение событий в условиях мира и спокойствия».
Гитанас Науседа, президент Литвы
«То, что я предсказывал в начале агрессии против Украины, сегодня становится реальностью. Кровавая российская война бумерангом обернулась против самой России. Приходится сожалеть, что солдат из тюрем собирало не гражданское общество, а частное, но — что посеешь, то и пожнешь. Кремлевский режим сталкивается с тем, что создал сам. Не сомневаюсь, что на саммите НАТО в Вильнюсе нам придется оценивать новые обстоятельства. Выводы, которые я повторил своим коллегам, о том, что ситуация с безопасностью на восточном фланге НАТО не улучшается, что она остается сложной и связана с усугубляющимися внутренними проблемами России, будут способствовать дальнейшему укреплению потенциала сдерживания и обороны Североатлантического союза на передовой. Наши решения должны быть решительными и адекватными». По его словам, события, происходящие в России, дать Украине передышку, но нужно готовиться к самым неожиданным сценариям.