Russian President Vladimir Putin's Address To Citizens of Russia

The following transcript has been translated from Russian to English:

Image/statement Credit: Kremlin

"Dear friends!

Today once again I appeal to all citizens of Russia. I thank you for your endurance, unity, and patriotism. This civic solidarity has shown that any blackmail, any attempts to create internal turmoil, are doomed to fail.

Let me repeat, there was the highest consolidation of society, the executive, and the legislature at all levels. A firm, unambiguous position of support for the constitutional order was adopted by public organizations, religious confessions, major political parties, and, in fact, by all of Russian society. All united and united by the main thing - responsibility for the fate of the Fatherland.

I emphasize that from the very beginning of the events immediately all necessary decisions were taken to neutralize the threat, to protect the constitutional order, lives, and safety of our citizens.

The armed uprising would have been suppressed in any event. The organizers of the mutiny, despite their loss of adequacy, could not fail to understand this. They understood everything, including the fact that they took criminal steps to split and weaken the country, which is now facing an enormous external threat and unprecedented pressure from outside. When at the front with the words "Not one step back!" our comrades are dying.