Kadyrov expressed solidarity with Putin, writing on Telegram that his fighters, who have played a key role in Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, "have already left for the zones of tension" and would "do everything to preserve the unity of Russia."
A Putin loyalist, Kadyrov has at times sided with Prigozhin's hawkish approach to the war, but has distanced himself from his recent criticism of military leaders. In the Telegram post, Kadyrov described the actions of the Wagner chief as a "vile betrayal."
"I have repeatedly warned that war is not the time to voice personal grievances and resolve disputes in our rear," he wrote. "We have a supreme commander-in-chief, elected by the people, who knows the whole situation to the smallest detail better than any strategist."
"Vladimir Vladimirovich quite rightly noted in his address to the nation, this is a military rebellion," he said. "I fully support every word of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin!" added Kadyrov, who has ruled Chechnya, a republic in southern Russia, since 2007.
