What exactly is happening in Russia right now?

Armed rebellion. Aborted coup attempt. Prelude to a civil war. However you label the events in Russia this weekend, they exposed deep divisions within the military forces Vladimir Putin has relied on to fight his war in Ukraine.

Mercenary Wagner troops turned around on Saturday before making good on threats to march all the way to Moscow to unseat members of Russia’s military leadership.

After he waged an all-out social media assault on Russia’s generals — and Putin’s justification for invading Ukraine — Wagner’s catering tycoon-turned-paramilitary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin accepted a deal to head to Belarus. It was a chaotic, confusing 36 hours in Russia.

Carl Larson is a U.S. Army veteran who fought last year in Ukraine with the International Legion of the Defense of Ukraine. He testified about the Wagner mercenary group to the European Parliament earlier this year.

He’s also co-founder and chair of the Seattle Chapter of Ukraine Defense Support, which sends equipment and supplies to Ukraine’s military.

He sat down with "Soundside" host Libby Denkmann to discuss the situation.