Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner group, has left Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia with his soldiers. This follows a deal brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, allowing Prigozhin and his troops to avoid criminal prosecution by Kremlin and seek exile in Belarus.
As part of the agreement, the group has ceased its advance toward Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Where Are Prigozhin and His Troops Now and What Deal Have They Agreed with Russia?
Prigozhin’s troops were only a day away from reaching Moscow when he announced their withdrawal to avoid potential bloodshed among Russians. They moved through Lipetsk after leaving Rostov. Prigozhin boarded the plane to Minsk from Rostov late at night. His troops are expected to follow him soon.Â
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, accusations against Prigozhin have been dropped, and he will be leaving Russia for Belarus. Non-participating Wagner members will sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense, while those involved in the uprising will not face charges. The leadership in the Russian army will remain unchanged, despite Prigozhin’s demand for the removal of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
This deal, mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a staunch Putin ally, seems to have de-escalated a highly significant crisis that posed a major challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s long-standing rule.
Following the retreat of Wagner troops, sources say that the Federal Road Agency has lifted all previously imposed restrictions on highways in Russia. It marks the conclusion of a tumultuous and extraordinary day in Russia.
How Did the Prigozhin-Putin Tension Start?
The Wagner Group, a private mercenary army that has been operating alongside the Russian military in Ukraine, had been experiencing increasing tensions with Russia’s military leadership. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner, had been openly criticizing the conduct of the war in recent months.
The situation reached a critical point on Saturday morning when Wagner mercenaries crossed the border from their Ukrainian field camps and entered the southern city of Rostov-on-Don. In a rapidly unfolding sequence of events, they reportedly seized control of the regional military command and military facilities in Voronezh, a city further north on the way to Moscow.
These fighters began marching towards the capital, prompting heightened security measures in various regions, including Moscow. The mayor of Moscow had even urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Concerns were also raised about the potential arrival of elite Chechen troops to defend Moscow against the Wagner soldiers, if necessary.
In response to the escalating situation, President Vladimir Putin vowed to punish those he deemed to have “betrayed” Russia.
How Significant Is This Event in Russia-Ukraine War?
The ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine has entered its 487th day since Russia invaded and occupied parts of Ukraine in a major escalation on 24th February last year. The war has resulted in more than 10,000 deaths on both sides, with both countries claiming significant victories on different occasions.Â
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, characterized the day’s events as “complete chaos” and suggested that the leader from the Kremlin was apprehensive and possibly concealing himself.Â
In a statement, President Zelenskyy stated, “The man from the Kremlin is obviously very afraid and probably hiding somewhere, not showing himself. I am sure that he is no longer in Moscow.”Â
He further asserted that the Kremlin leader knew the cause of his fear, as he himself had created the threat, attributing to him the propagation of evil, losses, and hatred.
Speculation arose when flight tracking data indicated the departure of two presidential planes from Moscow on Saturday, fueling rumors that Mr. Putin had fled the city. However, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of President Putin, refuted these claims, affirming that the president remained situated in the Kremlin.
The latest Wagner group saga was poised as a huge boost to Ukraine’s chances of winning the war, but the late-night developments have brought another twist to the tussle. Now everyone is waiting for Putin’s next move.
