We Will Turn Back To Avoid Bloodshed – Rebel Leader

What would make a rebel leader say, we will turn back to avoid bloodshed, genuine concern for human life or an admittance of fear?

It may be difficult to say in the circumstance, but turning back is what the mutinous Russian mercenary fighters who have already surged most of the way to Moscow have agreed to do.

The fighters of the Wagner private army run by former Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, gave the indication in an audio message, and international observers say this may bring about a de-escalation of the confrontation with President Vladimir Putin’s led government.

Agency reports have said the Wagner private army men were already heading to the capital, before they had a change of mind.

Before the group’s decision to turn back to avoid bloodshed, there has been a deal to halt further movement of Wagner fighters across Russia in return for guarantees of safety for the rebels was brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

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In a televised address from the Kremlin, Putin said Russia’s very existence was under threat.

“We are fighting for the lives and security of our people, for our sovereignty and independence, for the right to remain Russia, a state with a thousand-year history,” he said.

“All those who deliberately stepped on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed insurrection, who took the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment, will answer both to the law and to our people,” Putin added.

Putin later signed a law tightening rules for breaking martial law in places where it has been imposed, the RIA news agency said.

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The NAN says video obtained by Reuters showed troop carriers and two flatbed trucks each carrying a tank driving 30 miles (50 km) beyond Voronezh, more than half way to Moscow, where a helicopter fired on them.

Prigozhin, whose private army fought the bloodiest battles in Ukraine even as he feuded for months with the military top brass, said he had captured the headquarters of Russia’s Southern Military District in the city of Rostov without firing a shot.

Rostov serves as the main rear logistical hub for Russia’s entire invasion force in Ukraine.