The Wagner mutiny failed thanks to the “loyalty of the Russian military,” Russia’s defense minister said Monday. Sergei Shoiguone of the main targets of the rebels, who spoke for the first time publicly about the events.

“Wagner’s plans failed mainly because members of the Russian armed forces demonstrated fidelity to their oath and duty,” Shoigu said describing the Russian paramilitary organization’s stance as “attempt to destabilize Russia”, which “did not affect” the work of Russian military forces in Ukraine”.

“The provocation did not affect the operations of the force groups (in Ukraine). The staff continued to fulfill their assigned goals with courage and selflessness. I express my gratitude to the staff for their loyal service,” he noted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already given “comprehensive answers” about the aborted armed rebellion Shoigu added.

Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin launched the mutiny (June 23-23) with the stated aim of removing Defense Minister Shoigu and commander of Russian forces in Ukraine Valery Gerasimov as “incompetent”. The unimpeded advance of Wagner’s forces towards Moscow was halted after a Prigozhin-Kremlin deal brokered by Ukrainian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Russian authorities are trying to restore an image of “normality” after the mutiny. THE Putin posed with soldiers or had repeated and unexpected interactions with crowds across the Russian Federation.

The day after Wagner’s mutiny, Russian television broadcast images of the Russian defense minister inspecting Russian troops in Ukraine. However, according to military bloggers, this visual material predates the mutiny. Shoigu then appeared in a meeting with Putin. To date, he has not made any public statements.

Many high-ranking officials, however, have not appeared in public since the mutiny. Among them the general Valery Gerasimov and General Sergei Surovikin, deputy commander of Russian operations in Ukraine, fueling rumors that they have been arrested or terminated.