The United States feared the Russian nuclear weapons during the coup

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A Muscovite who gave his name as Nikolai—like others refused to give his surname—watched the army take up positions to protect the city.

“It’s scary, of course. You sit at home and think about what might happen,” he told Reuters.

Some Muscovites found it difficult to comprehend the scale of events on Saturday.

“It’s really hard news, really unexpected. I just came back from university. I just took my last exam and the news was really unexpected because I was preparing (for the exam) last night,” said Vladimir, a student. “I really don’t know how to act. I haven’t gotten over my head yet.”

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, an ally of President Vladimir Putin, declared that the “anti-terror regime” was in effect, before the leader of Wagner’s private militia announced that his fighters would return to avoid bloodshed.

On Kyiv’s Independence Square, packed with residents enjoying a picnic, Natalia Tanich, 48, acknowledged a certain delight in watching the Russian standoff.

“I enjoy what is happening in Russia. The inevitable conflict between Prigozhin and Putin was expected,” she said. “I don’t know what can come out of it. But I wish they would shoot each other and die.”

In Moscow, a woman named Galina said she thought what was happening was some kind of “provocation”.

“It doesn’t scare me at all,” she said. “I have confidence in our president and our people.”

A man who declined to be named at all said he thought this was just a political game. “They might cancel some events, and I make my living from events. I have an event going on now, so I might lose out because of this,” he said.

“But otherwise, it’s about their business, it’s politics—let them get on with it.”

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