Outdated Video of Russia's Vladimir Putin Heading to Kremlin Circulates
The Claim
A video shows Vladimir Putin on his way to the Kremlin after the beginning of the battle between the Russian army and Wagner forces.
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After the Wagner group rebelled against Putin, social media users circulated a video purporting to show Russian President Vladimir Putin on his way to the Kremlin urgently amidst the ongoing conflict between the Russian army and the Wagner forces.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the video and found the claim to be misleading.
A reverse image search revealed the video making the rounds to be outdated.
The Video Predates the Wagner "Rebellion"
On April 26, 2023, the video was first circulated on social media. It is said to show the convoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin during his urgent visit to the Kremlin at that time.
The video was also uploaded to YouTube on April 26, 2023.
Vladimir Putin's late visit to the Kremlin
According to a post in a Telegram channel, it was reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin made an urgent visit to the Kremlin on April 26 at 21:58. A video circulating on social media shows the presidential motorcade swiftly driving along a Moscow embankment, presumably to transport the Russian president to his office.
No official information was reported regarding the specific reason for Vladimir Putin's late visit to the Kremlin.
According to sources, the Russian president arrived at the Kremlin in the evening and stayed there during the night after conducting several meetings.
The Wagner Group Rebels Against Russia
On June 24, Wagner fighters made their way towards Moscow after seizing a southern city overnight, despite the Russian military's attempts to slow their rapid advance by conducting air strikes. This poses the first significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin's 23-year rule. Putin vowed to suppress the armed mutiny, likening it to Russia's Civil War a century ago.
The fighters belong to the Wagner private army led by former Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin and had already conquered Rostov before embarking on a 1,100 km (680 mile) race towards Moscow.
Yevgeny Prigozhin accused the Russian army of shelling his forces' camps within Ukrainian territory, claiming that this was done under the orders of the Defense Minister. He further stated that these attacks resulted in the death of many fighters.
In a televised address from the Kremlin, Putin declared that Russia's very existence was at stake, emphasizing the fight for the lives, security, sovereignty, independence, and the preservation of Russia's thousand-year history.
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