As Russia's President Vladimir Putin faces what he called was an “armed mutiny” from the Wagner group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin — before the mercenary group turned back later in the day, following a deal brokered by Belarus — Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Saturday briefed by senior officials on the developing situation in Russia, sources said. Modi was briefed on the developments on his plane from Washington DC to Cairo by senior officials, including diplomats accompanying him, who are well-versed with Putin’s Russia and the situation there, sources said. Putin is expected to participate in the virtual summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, hosted by Modi, which is expected to be attended by China's President Xi Jinping, along with leaders from Pakistan and other Central Asian countries on July 4. This meeting was earlier expected to be held in-person in Delhi, but was changed to the virtual format. While South Block is carefully watching the situation, New Delhi has not issued any official statement, but India views the Wagner group’s actions as a reflection of the “war of attrition” — where the sustained process of wearing down of the Russian army through continuous losses in personnel, equipment and supplies — finally taking a toll. With Putin facing a challenge to his authority as the day unfolded, he said in a televised address: “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 in which Wagner Group soldiers and commanders were fighting and dying shoulder to shoulder, together with our other units and troops.” This was a clear targeting of Prigozhin. Putin also said, “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.” As a preemptive measure, sources said that a special regime has been introduced in the area in Moscow where the Indian embassy is located. Being called the counter-terrorist regime, it means verification of documents, control of telephone conversations, use of vehicles belonging to organisations, regardless of their form of ownership, restriction of communications, restriction of the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the streets. Sale of weapons and alcohol is banned. “The situation is tense in Moscow,” a source told The Indian Express.
