For a capital dealing with such probably intense political convulsions, Moscow basked in a sun-drenched Sunday calm.
Red Square was closed as a precautionary anti-terror measure. A vacationer requested us plaintively why he could not stroll throughout and appeared bowled over by the reference to terrorism.
Without entry to Russian telegram, and which vacationer watches state TV, it's small marvel he had no thought what had just transpired.
More Russia turmoil expected in coming weeks, US says - live updates
The solely different indicator of the state of issues, within the metropolis centre not less than, have been the plain-clothes police who requested for our paperwork.
But individuals did appear shaken up.
"I was so shocked, and I didn't know what to do, I thought I should move maybe to St Petersburg or somewhere", stated Irina.
She was from the city of Vidnoye, south of Moscow, and had seen a number of navy autos round her home.
"This situation was so bad, and it looked like people in government didn't know what to do."
"I don't want to get into politics," stated one other girl, echoing a typical chorus amongst the Russian individuals.
"Thank God we can walk here in the centre of Moscow and everything is fine!"
Read extra:How the revolt led by 'Putin's Chef' unfoldedAborted mutiny busts the myth that Putin is infallibleThe former hot dog seller and thug who became Wagner boss at centre of mutiny
A person who had refused to be filmed ducked over and whispered an expletive-filled tirade towards Vladimir Putin, ending with "Glory to Ukraine!"
Brave phrases in Russia right now - no marvel he was whispering.
The motion had all been elsewhere, in Rostov-on-Don within the Russian south, and in Voronezh, midway to Moscow.
Ditches dug throughout roads to try to cease the Wagner convoy have been shortly stuffed in. The rapid disaster was swiftly defused, its bodily traces cleaned.
But what mark will these 24 hours go away on the general public consciousness and the historical past books, particularly if this isn't Evgeny Prigozhin's remaining act?
In 2014, the author Peter Pomerantsev dreamt up top-of-the-line titles for his guide on Russia - Nothing Is True And Everything Is Possible.
As I ponder the attainable permutations of what Prigozhin's armed insurrection was actually all about, that phrase retains coming again.
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