This is a stab in the back of our country and our people. This was stated in the address to the nation by Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with the situation around PMC Wagner, TASS reports.

"I appeal to the citizens of Russia, to the personnel of the Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies and special services, to the soldiers and commanders who are now fighting in their combat positions, repulsing enemy attacks, doing it heroically - I know, I spoke to the commanders of all directions again tonight. I also appeal to those who, by deceit or threats, were dragged into a criminal adventure, pushed onto the path of a serious crime - an armed rebellion.

Today Russia is fighting a hard battle for its future, repelling the aggression of neo-Nazis and their masters. Virtually the entire military, economic and information machine of the West is directed against us. We are fighting for the life and safety 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 our people’s fate is being decided, demands unification of all forces, unification, consolidation and responsibility, when everything that weakens us, any feuds that our external foes may use and use to undermine us from inside, should be thrown aside.

And therefore any steps that split our unity, this is in fact backsliding from their own people, comrades-in-arms, who are now fighting on the frontline. This is a stab in the back of our country and our people.

It was such a blow that was dealt to Russia in 1917, when the country fought during the First World War. But the victory was stolen from it.

Intrigues, squabbles and cheap politics behind the back of the army and people turned into a great shock, the destruction of the army and the split of the state, as well as the loss of huge territories. In the end - the tragedy of a civil war. Russians killed Russians, brothers killed brothers, various carpetbaggers and foreign forces derived selfish profits as they divided the country and tore it apart.

We won't let this happen again. We will protect both our people and our statehood from any threats. Including - from internal betrayal.

And what we are faced with is exactly that - 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. The heroes who liberated Soledar and Artyomovsk, the cities and towns of Donbass, fought and gave their lives for Novorossiya, for the unity of the Russian world. Their name and glory were also betrayed by those who are trying to organize a rebellion, pushing the country towards anarchy and fratricide. To defeat and in the end - to surrender.

I repeat, any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood, to us as a 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.

I believe that we will save and defend what is dear and sacred to us, and together with our Motherland we will overcome any trials, we will become even stronger,” the message reads.