Russia is scrambling to demonstrate that life has returned to normal as security measures imposed during the Wagner Group insurrection are lifted, an unprecedented crisis that the West said exposed the fragility of Vladimir Putin's regime.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was not seen during the rebellion of Wagner's archenemy, Yevgeny Prigozhin, appeared on television again Monday in a video clip as he inspected soldiers in Ukraine.

And the authorities announced the lifting of the "counter-terrorism operations system" that gives security forces expanded powers in the Moscow region and Voronezh, south of the capital, where Wagner units entered and an exchange of fire took place.

It was a measure taken "in the absence of threats to the lives" of the residents, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, thanking the residents for their "calmness and understanding."

President Vladimir Putin has not appeared again in public since a televised speech on Saturday accusing Prigozhin of "stabbing Russia in the back".

Prigozhin, a billionaire who was an ally of Putin, ended his rebellion on Saturday evening in exchange for immunity for him and his men, after mediation by the Belarusian president.

Since then, there has been no news of him while the Kremlin said he would go into exile in Belarus, which was not confirmed by the latter.

Nor is the whereabouts of Prigozhin's 25,000 men known: are they at their bases in Ukraine? Or in bases in Russia?

Despite the authorities' announcement Monday that life would return to normal, the Wagner Group's rebellion between Friday evening and Saturday evening shocked Russia.

For 24 hours, Prigozhin's forces seized many military sites in the strategic city of Rostov (southwest) and crossed 600 kilometers towards Moscow without encountering significant resistance.

Prigozhin was seen for the last time, Saturday, inside an SUV leaving Rostov, amid the cheers of a group of civilian youths who approached his car window to shake hands with him after his men withdrew from the Russian military headquarters.

Although the insurgency ended as quickly as it began, this crisis represents the biggest challenge Vladimir Putin has faced since he came to power in 1999.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Sunday that this crisis "exposes the real cracks" at the top of the pyramid of power in Russia.

He added, "But the presence of someone inside challenging Putin's authority and directly questioning the reasons for which he launched this attack on Ukraine is something that struck him very strongly."

European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said Monday that what happened during the war shows that the war against Ukraine leads to "a crack in the Russian authority and affects its political system."

"Of course, it is not a good thing to see a nuclear power like Russia in a state of instability. This must be taken into account," he added.

"What is happening in Russia shows that it is more important than ever to support Ukraine," he added.

Borrell was speaking ahead of Monday's meeting of European foreign ministers in Luxembourg, where they are set to confirm their agreement to allocate 3.5 billion euros to finance arms supplies to Ukraine and military missions abroad.

"Putin has dealt a severe blow, which will have important consequences for the regime," said independent Russian analyst Tatiana Stanovaya.

In announcing his rebellion, the Wagner commander promised to "liberate the Russian people", targeting in particular his sworn enemies, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, whom he accuses of sacrificing thousands of men in Ukraine.

Gerasimov has not been seen in public since the crisis, but scenes of Shoigu inspecting troops in Ukraine broadcast on Russian television Monday are intended to give the impression he is still in charge.

In the scenes, Shoigu appears quietly listening to a report presented by a general, studying geographical maps, or even taking a helicopter to inspect Russian positions.

It was not possible to independently verify the date these photos were taken.

In Ukraine, many analysts argue, the crisis in Russia could weaken Russian forces on the ground and work in favor of Kiev forces, who have been waging a difficult counteroffensive for several weeks.

Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Gana Malyar announced Monday that the Ukrainian army has made modest gains by capturing 17 kilometers of additional territory from Moscow's forces, or 130 square kilometers, since early June.