Is Putin in hiding? Has Putin been Arrested?
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner paramilitary group, announced that his fighters had crossed the border into Russia from Ukraine and were prepared to confront the country’s military, following accusations of armed mutiny by the Kremlin.
Prigozhin, who faces charges of inciting mutiny after accusing the Russian military of targeting his troops, went on a half-hour rant on social media, calling for an end to the “evil” in the military leadership and vowing to march for justice.
Russian generals countered Prigozhin’s claims, accusing him of attempting a coup against President Vladimir Putin.
The ongoing feud between Prigozhin and the Russian military escalated into an open confrontation.
The Russian Ministry of Defence denied launching a strike and demanded that Prigozhin cease his “illegal actions.”
The prosecutor general’s office confirmed that Prigozhin had been charged with organizing an armed uprising, carrying a potential prison sentence of 12 to 20 years.
They emphasized that his actions would face appropriate legal consequences.
Is Putin in hiding?
No. Putin is not in hiding. These rumors seem to have started from social media users who conjured up the propaganda after they heard of an attempted coup by the Wagner Group.
The major media outlets have also not confirmed such an event
Has Putin Been Arrested?
There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Putin has been arrested or is in hiding.
The rumors circulating on social media should be treated with skepticism, as they are likely fueled by speculation and misinformation.
It is important to rely on verified sources and official statements when assessing the validity of such claims.
As of now, there is no substantiated information suggesting that Putin’s whereabouts or status are a cause for concern.
Security Heightened In Russia
The Kremlin’s serious approach to Prigozhin’s threat was evident as Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced additional anti-terrorist measures, including heightened security checks on roads in the Russian capital.
Security measures were also intensified in government buildings, transport facilities, and key locations in Moscow and Rostov-on-Don, the headquarters for the Russian military in the southern region overseeing the conflict in Ukraine.
Prigozhin claimed on Saturday that his forces had reached Rostov without encountering resistance from young conscripts manning checkpoints.
However, the veracity of his statements, including his claim of shooting down a Russian helicopter, could not be independently verified.
The situation remained unclear, but the standoff appeared to be the most significant domestic crisis Putin has faced since the invasion of Ukraine in February of the previous year.
Prigozhin Allegations
Earlier, Prigozhin alleged that Russian generals had fabricated false pretexts to deceive Putin into invading Ukraine.
He accused the military’s top brass, including Sergei Shoigu, the defense minister, and Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia’s general staff, of sabotaging the war effort for personal gain.
Prigozhin’s recent outburst is part of a long-running feud with Shoigu and his increasing criticism of Russia’s military leadership.
He asserted that Russia faced no immediate threat from Ukraine at the time of the invasion and accused the defense ministry of deceiving the president and society.
The Russian state media reported that the Federal Security Service (FSB) had initiated a criminal case against Prigozhin, charging him with incitement to armed rebellion.
In response to Prigozhin’s claims, the defense ministry issued a statement categorically denying any Russian strikes on Wagner camps, labeling them as false and deliberate misinformation.
While the Wagner Group has been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, Prigozhin has recently intensified his criticism of Russia’s military leadership.
He claimed to have 25,000 armed men under his command and considered the entire army and society as his strategic reserve.
Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of Russia’s campaign in Ukraine, released a video addressing the mercenaries and urging them to remain loyal to Putin.
He warned of the enemy waiting for internal political situations to deteriorate in Russia.
