Although the mutiny in Vinnytsia was large in scale, the Russian government, which held overwhelming military strength, suppressed it in just one day.
Since the First World War began, mutinies had not been uncommon on the Russian front. Some involved the Russian military itself, others were the result of the Central Powers' propaganda war, and still others bore the shadow of revolutionary parties. However, mutinies on the scale of Vinnytsia remained rare in Russia at present.
On July 28, 1916, the Russian government declared Ilya and twenty-five others guilty of treason and collaboration with the enemy for masterminding the mutiny, sentencing them to execution by firing squad.
Within Russia, Nicholas II also flew into a rage, demanding that the military and government departments thoroughly investigate corruption and other issues. Of course, it was all thunder and little rain, though supplies on the Southern Bug River front did indeed increase considerably compared with before.
The East African government was also highly concerned about this military rebellion in Russia—or rather, Ernst himself was particularly concerned.
Ernst said to Friedrich, "A state, however great, that delights in war will surely perish; though all under Heaven is at peace, forgetting war will surely bring danger. Russia's current circumstances vividly demonstrate the first argument."
Friedrich said, "Father, isn't that a little exaggerated? It is only a minor military mutiny. It should not pose too great a threat to Russia, should it? Such incidents are common in both camps. Even Germany has deserters."
Ernst said, "It is still somewhat different. Russia is now like a powder keg, and its entire system is still stuffing more gunpowder into it. As for Germany, unless its supply of materials runs into enormous difficulties, it basically will not suffer any major problems—at least not before the war ends."
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