Vladimir Putin condemns ‘traitors’ for playing into hands of Russia’s enemies

Vladimir Putin (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Vladimir Putin has condemned organisers of a weekend revolt as “traitors” who played into the hands of Ukraine’s government and its allies.

The rebellion by armed mercenaries, which lasted less than 24 hours, was the gravest threat yet to the Russian president’s authority.