US says Wagner coup is 'real' and 'serious' as White House consults with allies

Joe Biden spoke at a campaign event in Washington on Friday night. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Joe Biden has been briefed on chaos The situation in Russia, which U.S. officials have described as «serious.»

The president has been briefed that Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has been accused by Moscow of organizing armed insurrection.

A White House National Security Council spokesman said: «We are monitoring the situation and will consult with allies and partners on these developments.»

A US official told CNN this crisis was «real» but the Pentagon and the White House were waiting to see how it would play out.

Steve Hall, former CIA chief of operations in Russia, said it was «a different league.» ” to Prigozhin’s previous complaints about the Russian military authorities.

A video showing an armored personnel carrier driving through the streets has appeared on social networks Moscow on Friday evening. Photo: Caution News

He said: «It may look like a well-known Putin tactic where he turns people against each other in his own government, but it's a different league.»

«Most of all, the Kremlin is worried about this promise:» We let's march.» These 25,000 guys are going to Moscow. It is very similar to a putsch, a coup d'état.

“Therefore, of course, the FSB is involved, and, probably, there is a direct connection with Putin.

“He would be the one to tell the FSB you have to go and do something. There should be a lot of anxiety in the Kremlin tonight.»

«Massive blow» to Russia's war effort

Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the White House will begin «thinking through every worst-case scenario» .

He told CNN: “Putin in general would be great for the whole world. But think of the instability for Russia that will inevitably come out of this, even if this whole supposed coup fails.

“There will be instability for Russia, which has nuclear weapons. There are fears of proliferation if the Russian Republic falls apart into even more parts.”

He added: “This is a massive strike against the Russian Republic, a massive strike against their war effort [in Ukraine].”

Kyiv has also been closely following developments.

His military tweeted: «We are watching.»

Mikhail Podoliak, one of President Volodymyr's confidants Zelensky’s advisers, said that “turbulent times are coming” for Russia.