Russia warns West against possible use of ‘armed rebellion’ to achieve ‘Russophobic goals’

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia on Saturday warned Western countries against the potential use of the “armed rebellion” in the country to achieve their “Russophobic goals.”

“Such attempts are futile and will not find a response either in Russia or among sane political forces abroad,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement said the goals and objectives of its “special military operation” in Ukraine will be fulfilled, adding that the country will continue its course to “ensure its security, protect its values, strengthen its prestige in the international arena, and form a just multipolar world order.”

“We highly appreciate the understanding of this principled position by our allies and foreign partners, which we are already fully aware of now,” the statement also said.

It added that the “armed rebellion” in the country is “sharply rejected” by Russian society, which, it said, supports Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The adventuristic aspirations of the conspirators, in fact, are aimed at destabilizing the situation in Russia, destroying our unity, and undermining the efforts of the Russian Federation aimed at ensuring reliable international security. Thus, the rebellion plays into the hands of Russia's external enemies,” the statement said.

Putin accused Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin of treason in a national address on Saturday, after the paramilitary fighters crossed the border from Ukraine into Russia, entering the city of Rostov-on-Don.

Prigozhin accused Russian forces of attacking his fighters, a claim Moscow denies.​​​​​​​

Prigozhin has, in recent months, repeatedly accused the Russian Defense Ministry and Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu of not supplying sufficient arms to the paramilitary group which has been fighting alongside the Russian army in Ukraine.​​​​​​​