ISW explains why Putin visited Rostov

This is stated in the report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Thus, on August 19, in Rostov-on-Don, the Russian leader met with the Chief of the Russian General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, as well as with senior officers at the headquarters of the Southern Military District.

Reportedly, this trip marked Putin's first visit to Rostov-on-Don since the incident when Wagner's private military company seized the headquarters on June 23-24.

"Putin rarely visits areas associated with the war in Ukraine; in April he visited Kherson and Luhansk oblasts and in March he visited Mariupol," the Institute's analysts said. 

In their opinion, Putin's visit to Rostov is likely a public gesture by which he wants to show that he still supports Gerasimov and his group of commanders, despite the fact that they have failed to stop the Wagner mutiny or achieve the military goals that the president set for them.

The ISW also added that Putin's visit took place about two months after the uprising, and he is probably trying to present himself as in control of his regime and army.

• Earlier, the Kremlin reported that Russian leader Vladimir Putin held a meeting at the headquarters of the Russian army group in Rostov-on-Don.