On June 23, 2023, Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin posted a video on Telegram, accusing the Russian Defense Ministry of a missile attack against his fighters. The day after, at 7:30 am, Prigozhin stated that he had taken control of military sites in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and began to advance toward Moscow with his fighters, claiming that he was on a "March of Justice."
At 10 am, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a televised address (see the Appendix), stressing that Russia is facing "a betrayal." At 8:30 pm, an announcement was made that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko had mediated an agreement and that Prigozhin had halted the march. An hour later, Prigozhin and his Wagner forces left Rostov-on-Don.
Commenting on the failed mutiny, Russian anti-liberal philosopher Alexander Dugin said that the entourage around Putin failed to counter the emergency. He stressed that a new Russian elite that fully supports an ideology of patriotism and national greatness should replace the current one. Russian media businessman Konstantin Malofeev, founder of the Russian nationalist and anti-liberal "Tsargrad" TV channel, also stated that Russia should avoid a civil war that may plunge the country into chaos, as happened in 1917 with the "February revolution."
Yevgeny Prigozhin (Source: Telegram)
Following are Russian anti-liberal philosopher Dugin's and Malofeev's posts published on their VK accounts:[1]
Dugin: "Defection Of The Elites Was Despicable"
"Not a single sufficiently strong and courageous figure was found among [Russian President Vladimir Putin's] entourage that [was ready to] counter a direct challenge to the sovereignty of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief [i.e., Putin]. Only the sovereign [Belarus President] Alexander Lukashenko, along with the sovereign Putin himself, dealt with the issue. It has turned out, that many can deceive the president and the people, acting in the shadows and pretending to act on his behalf, but saving the Fatherland in a critical situation is not their specialty. It is better to buy expensive tickets [to flee] [the philosopher hints at reports that some people close to Putin fled the capital after the news that Progozhin began advancing toward Moscow].
"Yesterday's defection of the elites was despicable... There is only one systemic solution: immediate and genuine patriotic ideologization of the ruling class and rotation of the elites. Only an ideologized elite can be expected to be heroic and behave appropriately in an emergency situation. It is pointless to expect it from the current one. We need a sovereign elite. Otherwise, things will repeat itself.
"The weaknesses of our system were showcased in 'all their glory' yesterday. But we also witnessed the will of Putin, the true friendship of Lukashenko, and the full-fledged and uncompromising support of our president on the part of all the true patriots. Many of them think like Prigozhin. But they supported Putin in a critical situation. That is worth a lot."
Malofeev: "We Were Supposed To Win WWI Too"
"Please stop! The events of today are not just alarming, as we've found ourselves facing the greatest threat imaginable. Alas, not for the first time in Russian history. Now, as it happened at the beginning of the 20th century, [they] try to stop our army on the eve of decisive victories.
"We were supposed to win WWI too. But on the eve of the spring offensive of 1917, a military coup occurred in Russia, which would be later called the 'February Revolution'. The organizers of the coup believed that they were better able to manage the army, the economy and generally the running of the state than the legitimate authorities.
"Everyone knows what had happened next: Russia descended into the chaos of revolution and civil war. During the events following the February coup, among other things, 'independent' Ukraine was created, much to the misfortune of the Russian people. Now we are witnessing the sad consequences of these events to this day.
"This night we've witnessed that the new Patriotic War of today is similar to WWI... as the Russian state is once again in danger of new turmoil.
"I appeal to all those who today have raised arms against their brothers. There is nothing more terrible for the state and the people than turmoil and civil war. No external enemy can inflict such harm to the homeland as the citizens who have raised arms against each other and the lawful authorities.
"Stop before it is too late. And may God help us!"
APPENDIX
Russian President Vladimir Putin's Address To The Citizens Of Russia; Kremlin.ru, June 24, 2023
Following is Russian President Vladimir Putin's address to the Russian people on June 24, 2003:[2]
(Source: Kremlin.ru)
"Any Actions That Split Our Nation Are Essentially A Betrayal Of Our People"
"I am addressing citizens of Russia, the personnel of the Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies and security services, and the soldiers and commanders who are now fighting in their combat positions, repulsing enemy attacks and doing it heroically – I know this as I spoke once again with the commanders of all sections of the frontline last night. I am also addressing those who were dragged into this criminal adventure through deceit or threats and pushed onto the path of a grave crime – an armed mutiny.
"Today, Russia is waging a tough struggle for its future, repelling the aggression of neo-Nazis and their patrons. The entire military, economic and informational machine of the West is directed against us. We are fighting for the lives and security of our people, for our sovereignty and independence, for the right to be and remain Russia, a state with a thousand-year history.
"This battle, when the fate of our nation is being decided, requires consolidation of all forces. It requires unity, consolidation and a sense of responsibility, and everything that weakens us, any strife that our external enemies can use and do so to subvert us from within, must be discarded.
"Therefore, any actions that split our nation are essentially a betrayal of our people, of our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the frontline. This is a knife in the back of our country and our people."
"A Blow Like This Was Dealt To Russia In 1917"
"A blow like this was dealt to Russia in 1917, when the country was fighting in World War I. But the victory was stolen from it: intrigues, squabbles and politicking behind the backs of the army and the nation turned into the greatest turmoil, the destruction of the army and the collapse of the state, and the loss of vast territories, ultimately leading to the tragedy of the civil war.
"Russians were killing Russians and brothers were killing brothers, while all sorts of political adventurers and foreign forces profited from the situation by tearing the country apart to divide it.
"We will not allow this to happen again. We will protect our people and our statehood from any threats, including from internal betrayal.
"What we are facing is essentially a betrayal. Inflated ambitions and personal interests have led to treason – treason against our country, our people and the common cause which Wagner Group soldiers and commanders were fighting and dying for shoulder to shoulder, together with our other units and troops. The heroes who liberated Soledar and Artyomovsk, towns and villages in Donbass, fought and gave their lives for Novorossiya and the unity of the Russian world. Their memory and glory have also been betrayed by those who are attempting to stage a revolt and are pushing the country towards anarchy and fratricide – and ultimately, towards defeat and surrender."
"I Will Take Every Effort To Defend The Country"
"Once again, any internal revolt is a deadly threat to our statehood and our nation. It is a blow to Russia, to our people. Our actions to defend the Fatherland from this threat will be harsh. All those who have consciously chosen the path of betrayal, planned an armed mutiny and taken the path of blackmail and terrorism, will inevitably be punished and will answer before the law and our people.
"The Armed Forces and other government agencies have received the necessary orders. Additional counterterrorism measures are now in effect in Moscow, the Moscow Region and several other regions. Resolute action will also be taken to stabilize the situation in Rostov-on-Don. It remains difficult; in effect, the work of civil and military authorities has been blocked.
"As the President of Russia and Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and as a citizen of Russia, I will take every effort to defend the country and protect the constitutional order as well as the lives, security and freedom of our citizens.
"Those who staged the mutiny and took up arms against their comrades – they have betrayed Russia and will be brought to account. I urge those who are being dragged into this crime not to make a fatal and tragic mistake but make the only right choice: to stop taking part in criminal actions.
"I am certain that we will preserve and defend what we hold dear and sacred, and together with our Motherland we will overcome any hardships and become even stronger."
