Russia's Putin makes first public appearance in video address since aborted mutiny

Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared for the first time since the Wagner mercenary group's aborted mutiny, in a Kremlin video address on Monday.

In the video, Putin was seen addressing a youth forum titled the "Engineers of the Future" where he appreciated companies for ensuring "the stable operation" of the Russian industry "in the face of severe external challenges".

"Dear friends! I congratulate you on the opening of the International Industrial "Engineers of the Future" Youth Forum. It has brought together young engineers, scientists, technologists, students, graduate students and representatives of public organisations from the majority of Russia's regions and an array of foreign countries. It is symbolic that the forum is taking place on Tula (city south of Moscow) soil, which has always been famous for its craftsmen, its dynasties of workers, engineers and arms makers. The development of Russian industry depends on the quality of its specialists," said Putin, in his video address.

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The address did not have any mention of the Wagner mutiny which rattled Russia over the weekend.

Working as normal after mutiny, says Wagner HQ

Wagner mercenary group's main Saint Petersburg office on Monday said that it was working in "normal mode". "Despite events that have taken place, the centre continues to work in normal mode in accordance with the law of the Russian Federation," said the group's main office, in a statement.

It stated that Wagner has "worked for the future of Russia" and extended thanks to its supporters.

Raisi extends 'full support' to Putin: Kremlin

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday and extended his "full support" following the Wagner group's aborted mutiny, the Kremlin said.

"The Iranian president expressed full support for the Russian leadership in connection with the June 24 events," the Kremlin stated. Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also called Putin and expressed his support, said the Kremlin.

Ukraine recaptures Russian-occupied settlement

Another formerly Russian-held settlement was recaptured by the Ukrainian forces on the southern front, said deputy defence minister Ganna Malyar on Monday.

"Defence forces returned Rivnopil under our control. Let's push on," stated the minister on her Telegram account, referring to a rural community in the Donetsk region.

A counter-offensive was launched this month by Ukraine against the Russian troops which have occupied almost a fifth of its territory in the country's southern and eastern regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accepted that the advance did not accelerate as fast as estimated, even though more Western-supplied weapons and tanks were deployed by Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that the city's situation is "stable", and thankedMuscovites for their "calm and understanding" during the crisis.

The government had ordered a “counter-terrorist" regime in the capital city on Saturday as Wagner columns marched towards the city while clashing with Russian armed forces in Voronezh.

(With inputs from agencies)

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