Wagner chief set to leave Russia after halting rebellion against Putin

People around the world are watching Russia tonight to see if the attempted military challenge to President Vladimir Putin has really come to an end.

Canada is warning travellers to stay away from Russia, saying there is a further risk of unrest across the country. It follows a surprise rebellion against Putin over the weekend by a powerful private Russian army.

Images from Russia this weekend showed people in the city of Rostov-on-Don cheering on rebel forces.

The Wagner Group, the private army of Yevgeny Prigozhin, launched a march on Moscow this weekend and was a two-hour drive from the city when Prigozhin called it off.

He released an audio statement confirming that he was halting the march.

Prigozhin halted the rebellion and agreed to leave Russia for the neighbouring country of Belarus after Russian President Putin threatened punishment for what he called betrayal and treason.

But Russian experts say this was the most serious challenge in Putin’s career as Russian leader, and his position is badly shaken.

Prime Minister Trudeau says he’ll be discussing this Russian crisis with the leaders of other Arctic countries at a meeting in Iceland this week.